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.

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

  • Jack Porter, Program Director
  • Sophia Yager, Senior Policy Analyst
  • Eric Aboodi, Policy Analyst
  • Malena Dailey, Policy Analyst

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

Let’s Get Ready to Improve the Value of Education

Let’s Get Ready to Improve the Value of Education

How can we reshape the education system to promote economic mobility? How should we assess the value of a diploma? What role do life skills play in career success, and ...
Policy Academy to Strengthen SNAP Employment & Training Delivery

Policy Academy to Strengthen SNAP Employment & Training Delivery

In 2024 the NGA Center for Best Practices (NGA Center), in partnership with Third Sector Capital Partners (Third Sector), launched a Policy Academy to Strengthen SNAP Employment & Training (SNAP ...
Governors Advancing Workforce Development – April 2025

Governors Advancing Workforce Development – April 2025

From classrooms to careers, workforce development is a top priority for Governors who know that a strong economy starts with a strong, skilled workforce. Here are some of the stories ...
Governors Prioritizing Postsecondary Strategies: Multiple Pathways Highlighted in 2025 State and Territory Addresses

Governors Prioritizing Postsecondary Strategies: Multiple Pathways Highlighted in 2025 State and Territory Addresses

Governors across the country made clear that postsecondary education remains central to their policy agendas in their 2025 State and Territory addresses—including State of the State, Inaugural, and Budget speeches ...
State and Territorial Workforce Development Successes

State and Territorial Workforce Development Successes

State and territory workforce development programs are crucial for addressing local labor market needs by providing training and education that align with current industry demands. These programs also support economic ...
Driving Public Sector Innovation Through Skills-Based Hiring

Driving Public Sector Innovation Through Skills-Based Hiring

State governments across the nation are leading a transformation in talent management, shifting toward a more skills-focused approach, which prioritizes a candidate’s skills, competencies, and relevant work experience over traditional ...
Governors Reshaping Workforce Development: Turning WIOA Challenges into Workforce Solutions

Governors Reshaping Workforce Development: Turning WIOA Challenges into Workforce Solutions

Across the country, Governors are finding new ways to strengthen their workforce systems. From reorganizing state agencies to improving industry engagement and providing essential support services, states are taking bold ...
2025 Winter Workforce Development Policy Institute

2025 Winter Workforce Development Policy Institute

The first session on the first day of the 2025 Winter Workforce Development Policy Institute, held March 12–14 in Washington, D.C., presented a perfect encapsulation of why workforce development remains ...
Governors Discuss Workforce Innovation

Governors Discuss Workforce Innovation

WASHINGTON – During the National Governors Association (NGA) Winter Meeting, members of the Education, Workforce, and Community Investment Task Force convened to discuss apprenticeships and non-degree pathways as essential tools ...

Economic Policy Library

Governors Leading on Artificial Intelligence

Governors Leading on Artificial Intelligence

As with any new technology, artificial intelligence (AI) offers a tremendous opportunity to improve society. But, as with any new technology, AI also has potential drawbacks. In the absence of ...
Weaving State & Federal Manufacturing Support Strategies through Regional Consortia

Weaving State & Federal Manufacturing Support Strategies through Regional Consortia

The NGA Center and the American Manufacturing Communities Collaborative (AMCC) co-hosted a webinar on February 7 about how Governors can incorporate practices employed by regional manufacturing consortia that have federal ...
Governors Urge Congress to Fund Government, Avoid Shutdown

Governors Urge Congress to Fund Government, Avoid Shutdown

WASHINGTON – Today, National Governors Association Chair Governor Spencer Cox of Utah and Vice Chair Governor Jared Polis of Colorado released the following statement as Congress considers legislation to fund ...
NGA Sends Letter Outlining WRDA Priorities  

NGA Sends Letter Outlining WRDA Priorities  

The Honorable Tom CarperChairmanCommittee on the Environment and Public WorksUnited States Senate513 Hart Senate Office BuildingWashington, DC 20510 The Honorable Sam GravesChairmanCommittee on Transportation and InfrastructureUnited States House of Representatives1135 ...
Governors Share Housing Solutions

Governors Share Housing Solutions

No state is immune from housing supply challenges – from residents leaving states due to high costs and low affordability to lack of housing for public workers like fire, police, ...
Governors Call on Congress to Keep Government Open

Governors Call on Congress to Keep Government Open

Washington, DC – Today, National Governors Association Chair Governor Spencer Cox of Utah and Vice Chair Governor Jared Polis of Colorado released the following statement as Congress considers legislation to ...
Governors Discuss Artificial Intelligence Risks and Regulatory Priorities

Governors Discuss Artificial Intelligence Risks and Regulatory Priorities

Washington, DC – During the annual Winter Meeting of the National Governors Association (NGA), Governors welcomed tech pioneer Marc Andreessen for a discussion on the potential risks and benefits of ...
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, ...
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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