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.

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

  • 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

State Government as a Model Employer for People with Disabilities: A Playbook for Governors

State Government as a Model Employer for People with Disabilities: A Playbook for Governors

This playbook highlights six actionable strategies Governors can use to improve state government career paths for people with disabilities. (Download) The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that, as of January ...
Policy Academy to Advance Youth Apprenticeship

Policy Academy to Advance Youth Apprenticeship

As a national partner in the Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship (PAYA), the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) is launching a Policy Academy to help states ...
The Role of States in Shaping a Future-Ready EV Workforce

The Role of States in Shaping a Future-Ready EV Workforce

States remain on the front lines of developing the skilled workforce needed to support the electric vehicle (EV) sector’s continued evolution and expansion — with career opportunities spanning vehicle and ...
Congressional Briefing on Governors Reshaping Workforce Development

Congressional Briefing on Governors Reshaping Workforce Development

Last week, NGA and the Harvard Project on Workforce hosted a virtual congressional briefing to present results from the recently released report, Governors Reshaping Workforce Development: Turning WIOA Challenges into Workforce Solutions which highlights ...
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 ...

Economic Policy Library

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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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, ...
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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