Workforce Development, Higher Education & 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 117^th 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

Portia Pratt, Senior Policy Analyst
Sophia Yager, Senior Policy Analyst
Eric Aboodi, Policy Analyst
Malena Dailey, Policy Analyst
Kyra Gardner, Policy Coordinator

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 State Leaders in Utah to Advance Service-to-Career Pathways

The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center), in partnership with the Schultz Family Foundation and Annie E. Casey Foundation, recently brought together leaders from 24 states to ...

Supporting Workforce Pell Implementation: A Readiness Academy Open to All States and Territories

The recent expansion of federal Pell Grant eligibility to include high-quality, short-term workforce programs represents a significant opportunity for states and territories to strengthen their education-to-employment pipelines, support working learners ...

Governors Revamp Workforce System Governance to Strengthen Coordination and Outcomes

As the labor market begins to shift and federal workforce development priorities evolve, Governors are transforming the way they operate and oversee states' workforce systems. Last week, North Dakota Governor ...

EV Workforce Myth-Busting

(Download) By 2028, U.S. electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers are projected to produce approximately 4.7 million EVs annually. This growth will fuel demand for charging stations, infrastructure, batteries, supply chain operations ...

Governors Working for the Workforce

Workforce Development Month is a nationwide celebration recognizing the vital role workforce development plays in helping Americans build the skills and experience that employers need. As part of this celebration, ...

Governors Leading Innovative Skills First Networks

Over the past two years, governors in more than thirty states have taken intentional steps to expand access to economic opportunity by removing unnecessary bachelor’s degree requirements for public sector ...

NGA Convenes State Workforce Leaders in Montana to Advance Pathways to Work, Unlock Economic Opportunity, and Harness the Power of AI

The NGA Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) hosted its Biannual Workforce Development Policy Institute in Billings, Montana from August 13th - 15th. The Institute convened Governor’s workforce development policy ...

Governors Leading on Job Creation and Skills Development

Governors want everyone in their states to have a shot at living their own American Dream. That means not only creating jobs but ensuring jobseekers have the preparation and opportunity ...

Six States Selected to Participate in NGA Youth Apprenticeship Policy Academy

National Governors Association to work with Maryland, Montana, North Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, and Washington to help them develop and implement policy agendas to advance high-quality youth apprenticeship opportunities. WASHINGTON – ...

Economic Policy Library

Indiana – Innovative Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation Case Study

The below case study was developed through a NGA partnership with Oregon State University’s Center for the Outdoor Recreation Economy to research and assess the Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation ...

Innovative Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation Awards

This report is about the travel, tourism and outdoor recreation (TTOR) grants made by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) based on the American Rescue Plan Act ...

Navigating the GenAI Frontier: Strategies for Governors’ Offices

Governors are working to maximize the benefits and mitigate the risks of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and NGA is assisting in identify both. Over the past year we have held a ...

Federal Agency Representatives Join 2024 NGA Summer Meeting

At the 2024 NGA Summer Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah, representatives from multiple federal agencies held meetings with Governors’ staff members to focus on coordination between state and federal ...

New State Models Emerging for Fostering Entrepreneurship

Almost all net job growth is generated by businesses started less than five years ago, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research. Governors recognize the importance of new businesses ...

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

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

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

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 ...