Workforce Development & Economic Policy

Governors are working to expand economic opportunity and advance the nation’s global competitiveness by developing the skilled workforce and economic environment required for individuals, businesses and communities to thrive.

As the chief executive officers of their states, Governors set strategic priorities to align workforce and economic development activities to build a shared vision of societal and economic well-being. The NGA Workforce Development & Economic Policy program supports Governors and their appointees in developing and executing on these priorities.

Featured Initiatives 

NGA Workforce Development Technical Assistance Program

NGA provides advisors and other Governor-appointed state workforce system leaders with technical assistance on a broad range of workforce development policy issues through policy memoranda; in-state site visits and presentations, and facilitated connections with subject matter experts. The team also holds biannual convenings and monthly briefings and issues a weekly newsletter.

Workforce Strategic Planning Collaborative

The NGA Center’s joint project with the U.S. Department of Labor supports Governors and their advisors as they develop and implement their federally required four-year strategic plans for workforce development. Technical assistance offerings include an emphasis on implementation of federal investments that passed during the 117th Congress, namely the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act.

NGA Economic Policy Advisors and Economic Policy Technical Assistance

NGA provides Governor-appointed state economic development leaders and advisors with highly responsive and customized best practice research, strategic planning facilitation, timely information from federal partners and subject matter experts, and other support on a broad range of economic policy priorities. This includes an upcoming virtual event series as well as a bi-weekly newsletter.

Meet The Team

Focus Areas

  • Apprenticeship and youth apprenticeship
  • Sector-focused workforce and economic development strategies
  • Workforce development financing, governance, and innovation
  • Outdoor recreation & economic development  
  • Service-to-career pathways and public sector employment
  • IIJA, CHIPS and IRA implementation Future of work, digital transformation and digital skills
  • Disability inclusive workforce policy

Services Available

  • Strategic planning facilitation and best practice guidance on workforce and economic development topics or initiatives
  • Strategic guidance, feedback and meeting facilitation services for Governor-appointed state workforce development boards
  • Convenings for workforce and economic development advisors and state leaders on emerging issues
  • Regular newsletters for state workforce and economic development leaders
  • Customized research briefs and best practice presentations upon request

Workforce Development Library

NGA Convenes Six States to Explore Best Practices to Advance Disability Inclusive Workforce Policy

NGA Convenes Six States to Explore Best Practices to Advance Disability Inclusive Workforce Policy

As Governors work to confront an extremely tight labor market, efforts to reduce barriers to workforce participation and success are increasingly critical for filling in-demand jobs. A key pillar of ...
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Governors Continue Exploring Innovative Methods to Scale Youth Apprenticeship

Governors Continue Exploring Innovative Methods to Scale Youth Apprenticeship

With employers in virtually every economic sector in desperate need of talent, Governors are looking to youth apprenticeship programs to provide young residents with a high-quality pathway into the workforce ...
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Governors Innovate to Spur Skills-Based Hiring

Governors Innovate to Spur Skills-Based Hiring

Bipartisan laws like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the CHIPS and Science Act are designed to support thousands of jobs in every state: Jobs upgrading infrastructure and expanding ...
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State and Local Electric Vehicle Workforce Collaborative Kickoff Convening

State and Local Electric Vehicle Workforce Collaborative Kickoff Convening

April 2024 - National Taskforce Meeting & Collaborative Kickoff Convening Historic federal investments in infrastructure spell major economic opportunity for cities and states across the nation. One of the most ...
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NGA, NLC Kick Off EV Workforce Initiative

NGA, NLC Kick Off EV Workforce Initiative

Washington, D.C. – The National Governors Association (NGA) and the National League of Cities (NLC) are partnering on a new project to help cities and states prepare workers for job ...
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Workforce Development in 2024 State of the State Addresses

Workforce Development in 2024 State of the State Addresses

Effective workforce development policy and programs are crucial for economic growth and healthy communities, especially during a tight labor market. As a result of the current economic and workforce climate, ...
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Winter Workforce Policy Institute Highlights the Importance of Workforce Planning and Innovation

Winter Workforce Policy Institute Highlights the Importance of Workforce Planning and Innovation

Last month, the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) convened Governor-appointed workforce development policymakers in Washington, D.C. for the 2024 Winter Workforce Development Policy Institute. Representatives from ...
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Talking Economic Development with Governor Beshear

Talking Economic Development with Governor Beshear

NGA’s Economic Development and Revitalization Task Force, Co-Chaired by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, has jurisdiction over a broad range of issue areas, including infrastructure, ...
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Sustaining Healthcare Workforce Planning and Development Through State and Territory Engagement

Sustaining Healthcare Workforce Planning and Development Through State and Territory Engagement

(Download) Governors continue to prioritize strengthening states’ and territories’ healthcare workforces. The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (the NGA Center) has supported states and territories on their Governors’ ...
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Economic Policy Library

Improving Housing Availability and Affordability

Improving Housing Availability and Affordability

Governors are applying a multifaceted approach to lower housing costs by increasing funding for affordable housing, rethinking land use regulations, streamlining the permitting process and exploring housing innovations. Housing is ...
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Governors Urge Congress to Pass Tax Measures

Governors Urge Congress to Pass Tax Measures

WASHINGTON – Today, National Governors Association Chair Governor Spencer Cox of Utah and Vice Chair Governor Jared Polis of Colorado released the following statement after the introduction and House committee ...
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Mitigating AI Risks in State Government 

Mitigating AI Risks in State Government 

State officials are leading the way to identify and tackle AI risks – from misinformation to data privacy concerns. In a December 2023 installment of an ongoing webinar series, the ...
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Leveraging Outdoor Assets in the Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation Sectors

Leveraging Outdoor Assets in the Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation Sectors

On Wednesday, December 13th NGA hosted its fourth and final webinar in a four-part series highlighting innovative and replicable projects that are funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Travel, ...
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Governors Encouraged by CHIPS Selection, Call for Acceleration of Awards to Advance American Competitiveness

Governors Encouraged by CHIPS Selection, Call for Acceleration of Awards to Advance American Competitiveness

WASHINGTON – Today, National Governors Association Chair Governor Spencer Cox of Utah and Vice Chair Governor Jared Polis of Colorado released the following statement following the U.S. Department of Commerce’s selection ...
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Service as a Pathway to Economic Opportunity: A Roadmap for Governors

Service as a Pathway to Economic Opportunity: A Roadmap for Governors

This roadmap lays out five key elements with related policy options for Governors to consider as they develop and execute a vision for service-to-career pathways in their states (Download) Background ...
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Governors Share Federal Funding Concerns to House Speaker

Governors Share Federal Funding Concerns to House Speaker

NGA Chair Utah Governor Spencer Cox and Vice Chair Colorado Governor Jared Polis wrote a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson urging the House and Senate to work together to ...
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Housing

Housing

Housing is a basic necessity. Yet shortages and skyrocketing costs are putting it out of reach for more and more Americans. Driven by high interest rates and low supply, home ...
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Governors’ Responses to Challenges in Housing Availability and Affordability

Governors’ Responses to Challenges in Housing Availability and Affordability

Every state is impacted by the national housing shortage. Housing prices have soared. Inflation has driven interest rates higher, increasing monthly mortgage costs and almost doubling the household income needed ...
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