Workforce Development & Economic Policy

A top priority of the nation’s Governors is expanding economic opportunity and advancing the nation’s global competitiveness by developing the skilled workforce and economic environment required for individuals, businesses and communities to thrive and prosper. As the chief executive officers of their states, Governors are responsible for setting strategic priorities that align workforce and economic development activities across their states toward a shared vision of societal and economic wellbeing. The NGA Center supports the nation’s Governors by sharing best practices and providing technical assistance services to state leaders including Governors’ economic policy advisors, Governors’ workforce development policy advisors, state economic development organization leaders, state workforce development board chairs and state workforce agency leaders. Focus areas include reducing barriers to economic participation; fostering economic dynamism and job growth; and providing training and employment opportunities that support employers’ talent needs and lead to family-sustaining careers.

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Supporting Successful Workforce Reentry for Justice-Involved Individuals

Supporting Successful Workforce Reentry for Justice-Involved Individuals

As Governors continue to address workforce shortages in nearly every sector of the economy, state workforce development policymakers and their private sector partners remain focused on increasing labor force participation ...
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State Longitudinal Data Ecosystem

State Longitudinal Data Ecosystem

The National Governors Association in partnership with the Data Quality Campaign is working with states in a new learning ecosystem to help Governors’ offices and other state officials better understand ...
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Governors Tout Bold Investments in Workforce Development During 2023 State of the State Addresses

Governors Tout Bold Investments in Workforce Development During 2023 State of the State Addresses

A vast majority of Governors spent time during their State of the State addresses outlining their strategy for navigating 2023’s tight labor market, and bold investments in workforce development programs ...
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Governors Propose Bold Economic Investments in 2023 State of the State Addresses

Governors Propose Bold Economic Investments in 2023 State of the State Addresses

In 2023 State of the State addresses, Governors outlined efforts to grow and diversify their states’ economies. In their 2023 State of the State addresses, Governors announced bold investments to ...
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Featured

How Six States Are Planning To Advance Digital Skills For Equitable Economic Participation

Governors are prioritizing digital skill development across the education and training continuum, from K-12 curriculum to upskilling and reskilling for workers and adult learners.


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Workforce Development Library

Governors Welcome Action to Address Teacher Shortages

Governors Welcome Action to Address Teacher Shortages

Today, National Governors Association Chair New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Vice Chair Utah Governor Spencer Cox released the following statement regarding the administration’s efforts to address teacher shortages and ...
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Governors Focus on the Recovery of Travel and Tourism at the NGA Summer Meeting

Governors Focus on the Recovery of Travel and Tourism at the NGA Summer Meeting

A look at the discussion Governors had with travel and tourism industry leaders regarding the industry’s impact on economic activity and job creation. At the NGA Summer Meeting, Governors met ...
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K-12 Computer Science Education – NGA 2022 Summer Meeting

K-12 Computer Science Education – NGA 2022 Summer Meeting

Outgoing NGA Chairman Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson opened the NGA Summer Meeting with an overview of his 2021-2022 Chairman’s Initiative to expand K-12 computer science education. After announcing the initiative last ...
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Leveraging the Digital Equity Act To Advance Digital Skills

Leveraging the Digital Equity Act To Advance Digital Skills

This guide offers three key strategies and guiding questions for employers to contribute to Digital Equity Act planning and implementation, as well as strategies for state policymakers to support and ...
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State Policy Playbook To Advance Youth Apprenticeship

State Policy Playbook To Advance Youth Apprenticeship

By supporting and expending youth apprenticeship programs, states can create stronger connections across secondary and postsecondary educational institutions, workforce development systems and community-based organizations. (Download) Executive Summary During a time ...
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Governors Implement: Broadband, Workforce Innovation and Digital Equity

Governors Implement: Broadband, Workforce Innovation and Digital Equity

How Governors are Advancing Workforce Innovation, Broadband Access and Digital Skills in America’s Workforce. By Rachael Stephens and Katherine Ash This week, Governors’ broadband advisors and workforce development leaders will ...
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Pre-Apprenticeship Action Lab

Pre-Apprenticeship Action Lab

National Governors Association, in partnership with Education Strategy Group, and thanks to support from the Siemens Foundation, hosted its fourth in a series of Action Labs as part of its ...
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State efforts to expand the healthcare workforce

State efforts to expand the healthcare workforce

Governors have celebrated the healthcare workforce and called for an increased focus on their recruitment and retention, as well as renewed equitable access to medical career pathways. by Nathan Le ...
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States Bolster Transportation Workforce through Apprenticeship Programs

States Bolster Transportation Workforce through Apprenticeship Programs

The National Governors Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices is working with four states – Connecticut, Idaho, Oregon and North Carolina – to utilize IIJA funds to scale pre-apprenticeship and ...
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Economic Policy Library

Governors Urge Congress to Find Agreement on Innovation and Competition Legislation

Governors Urge Congress to Find Agreement on Innovation and Competition Legislation

Today, National Governors Association Chairman Governor Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas and Vice Chairman Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey released the following statement as the House and Senate continue deliberations ...
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Safeguarding Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds

Safeguarding Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds

We urge lawmakers to negotiate in good faith to advance FY 2022 spending legislation, while preserving the critical support provided through the CSLFRF. The Honorable Nancy PelosiSpeakerUnited States House of ...
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FAFSA Completion Action Lab

FAFSA Completion Action Lab

This Action Lab focuses on strategies for increasing completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to expand access to postsecondary education. It includes an overview of several ...
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Governors Start 2022 With A Focus On Electric And Alternative Fuel Vehicles And Networks

Governors Start 2022 With A Focus On Electric And Alternative Fuel Vehicles And Networks

In Governors’ 2022 State of the State addresses, a common theme has been the adoption and manufacture of electric and alternative fuel vehicles and fueling/charging infrastructure as a priority area ...
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Letter on the FY 2022 Omnibus Appropriations Package

Letter on the FY 2022 Omnibus Appropriations Package

RE: Support for Inclusion of the State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Fiscal Recovery, Infrastructure, and Disaster Relief Flexibility Act in the FY 2022 Omnibus Appropriations Package The Honorable Nancy PelosiSpeakerUnited ...
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NGA 2022 Winter Meeting

NGA 2022 Winter Meeting

The National Governors Association's 114th annual Winter Meeting was January 28-31, 2022 in Washington, D.C. Governors met to discuss best practices and bipartisan collaboration on leading policy issues including infrastructure, ...
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State of the States 2022

State of the States 2022

Governors of states, territories and commonwealths are outlining their priorities for 2022 in state of the state or commonwealth addresses, as well as inaugural addresses for new and re-elected Governors ...
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Entrepreneurship Initiatives For Recovery and Growth

Entrepreneurship Initiatives For Recovery and Growth

This webinar series highlights state initiatives that promote entrepreneurship as a strategy for expanding access to economic opportunity and supporting stronger economic recovery and growth. Specifically, this four-part series will ...
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Jobs and the Economy in the U.S. in the Wake of COVID-19: Key Issues Facing Governors

Jobs and the Economy in the U.S. in the Wake of COVID-19: Key Issues Facing Governors

COVID-19 will have long-tail effects that continue to change the U.S. economy and present challenges to states. Governors are learning and working together to address these issues, as well as ...
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