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

Actualizing the Promise of Youth Apprenticeship: Lessons Learned from NGA’s Policy Academy to Advance Youth Apprenticeship

Actualizing the Promise of Youth Apprenticeship: Lessons Learned from NGA’s Policy Academy to Advance Youth Apprenticeship

This publication highlights key themes from the Policy Academy, recounts Governor-led policy change on youth apprenticeship, and covers what the future of youth apprenticeship policy may hold at the state ...
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Governors Working on Workforce Development

Governors Working on Workforce Development

The NGA Center for Best Practices will host the 2024 Fall Workforce Development Policy Institute in Mystic, Connecticut at the end of October. The Institute brings together Governors’ Workforce Development ...
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Insights and Opportunities on Public Sector Skills Based Strategy Efforts

Insights and Opportunities on Public Sector Skills Based Strategy Efforts

Since 2021, Governors in more than twenty states have taken steps to remove unnecessary bachelor’s degree requirements for jobs in the public sector. This momentum for innovation, spurred by a ...
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States Capitalize on Federal Infrastructure Investments to Expand Workforce Development

States Capitalize on Federal Infrastructure Investments to Expand Workforce Development

Since 2021, a wave of federal infrastructure investments has provided states with historic levels of funding for economic development and industrial growth. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), CHIPS ...
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Cybersecurity Credentialing and Education Resources

Cybersecurity Credentialing and Education Resources

As the risk of cyber-attacks increases, it is crucial that Governors support the development of a strong cybersecurity workforce by understanding the current workforce, identifying critical roles, developing career pathways ...
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National Governors Association and Third Sector Select Four States to Strengthen SNAP Employment & Training Delivery

National Governors Association and Third Sector Select Four States to Strengthen SNAP Employment & Training Delivery

WASHINGTON – The National Governors Association (NGA) and Third Sector Capital Partners (Third Sector) selected Idaho, Indiana, Minnesota, and North Carolina to participate in the Policy Academy to Strengthen SNAP ...
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Governors Urge Congress to Pass Bipartisan Reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

Governors Urge Congress to Pass Bipartisan Reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

WASHINGTON – Today, National Governors Association Chair Governor Spencer Cox of Utah and Vice Chair Governor Jared Polis of Colorado released the following statement on the need for Congress to ...
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Energy Cyber Workforce Policy Brief

Energy Cyber Workforce Policy Brief

Governors play a critical role in creating pathways for cybersecurity professionals, through workforce development programs, reskilling efforts, public outreach, and raising awareness of cybersecurity job opportunities in the energy sector ...
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Congressional Briefing on the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act in states and territories

Congressional Briefing on the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act in states and territories

With Congress considering a possible reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the National Governors Association’s Task Force on Education, Workforce, and Community Investment held a virtual briefing ...
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Economic Policy Library

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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Governors Leading on Supply Chain Resiliency

Governors Leading on Supply Chain Resiliency

The COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the importance of the United States industrial base, supply chains, and job training for the manufacturing workforce. Supply chain issues came to the fore with shortages ...
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State, Territory, and Local Governments Urge Congress to Preserve Roadway Authority in AV Legislation

State, Territory, and Local Governments Urge Congress to Preserve Roadway Authority in AV Legislation

On behalf of the nation’s Governors, legislators, mayors, cities, counties, state transportation officials, state motor vehicle administrators, and highway safety officials, we urge Congress to ensure that any legislation being ...
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State Approaches to Enhancing Supply Chain Resiliency

State Approaches to Enhancing Supply Chain Resiliency

This paper focuses on supply chain issues in advanced manufacturing and related sectors including infrastructure and transportation, renewable and alternative energy, and battery applications. (Download) Executive Summary The COVID-19 pandemic ...
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Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) in State Government

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) in State Government

On September 6, 2023, the NGA Center for Best Practices hosted a virtual event, “Introduction to Artificial Intelligence in State Government,” co-organized with the Center for Scientific Evidence in Public ...
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Governors Call on Congress to Keep Government Open

Governors Call on Congress to Keep Government Open

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 ...
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State and Local Leaders Urge Congress to Extend TANF Program

State and Local Leaders Urge Congress to Extend TANF Program

The Honorable Ron Wyden ChairmanSenate Committee on Finance 2221 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Jason SmithChairmanHouse Committee on Ways and Means 1011 Longworth House Office BuildingWashington, ...
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