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.

Latest

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. By Sally Rood, Sophia Yager, Katie Nichols In their 2023 State of the ...
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Governors Focus on Affordable Housing

Governors Focus on Affordable Housing

In 2023 State of the State addresses, Governors outlined efforts to increase housing availability and improve affordability. The high cost of housing and what that means for communities is top ...
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Request for engagement on the guidance and rulemakings in the Financial Data Transparency Act

Request for engagement on the guidance and rulemakings in the Financial Data Transparency Act

We respectfully request the opportunity to provide a municipal securities issuers and financial reporting briefing, engage in ongoing dialogues, and participate in industry working groups that will be developed in ...
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Expanding Child Care for Student Parents and Training Pathways for Early Childhood Educators

Expanding Child Care for Student Parents and Training Pathways for Early Childhood Educators

The NGA Center in partnership with Education Strategy Group held a virtual action lab focused on expanding access to and affordability of childcare for student parents and the development of ...
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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

States Collaborate to Combat Health Worker Shortage

States Collaborate to Combat Health Worker Shortage

14 states join National Governors Association (NGA) program focused on strategies to grow and retain the next generation of the health care workforce. WASHINGTON – California, Colorado, Missouri and Wyoming are ...
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Addressing the Dearth of Digital Skills Data: Opportunities for States

Addressing the Dearth of Digital Skills Data: Opportunities for States

Governors are working to address the digital skill divide and upskill local workforces for the future. by Katherine Ash States across the nation are advancing digital equity by forming coalitions, ...
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State Workforce System Leaders Highlight Shared Challenges and Opportunities for Partnership at Bi-Annual Workforce Symposium

State Workforce System Leaders Highlight Shared Challenges and Opportunities for Partnership at Bi-Annual Workforce Symposium

State workforce development boards and agencies play a crucial role in driving innovation and best practices that lead to better educational and employment outcomes for their constituents. by Rachael Stephens ...
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National Association of State Workforce Board Chairs

National Association of State Workforce Board Chairs

The Association provides a vehicle for state workforce board chairs and staff directors to learn from the experiences of others in similar positions, share best practices and solutions to shared ...
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National Association of State Liaisons for Workforce Development Partnerships

National Association of State Liaisons for Workforce Development Partnerships

The Association offers an orderly and effective means for state representatives to collectively speak on issues of concern related to workforce and economic development, with a connection to and platform ...
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Workforce Development Technical Assistance Program

Workforce Development Technical Assistance Program

Through this program NGA provides state workforce system leaders with best practice research, strategic planning and meeting facilitation, access to federal partners and subject matter experts, and other support on ...
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Using Data to Advance Digital Skills: A State Playbook

Using Data to Advance Digital Skills: A State Playbook

To assist states in closing digital skill gaps and preparing for digital equity planning, this brief offers key questions and resources for state leaders to consider. This brief is a ...
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Help Wanted: Building a Pipeline to Address the Children’s Mental Health Provider Workforce Shortage

Help Wanted: Building a Pipeline to Address the Children’s Mental Health Provider Workforce Shortage

There is no silver bullet for the mental health crisis but reducing workforce shortages of these critical providers can go a long way to solving the problem. by Jessica Kirchner ...
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The Key Role of Community Colleges in Scaling Apprenticeship Programs Statewide

The Key Role of Community Colleges in Scaling Apprenticeship Programs Statewide

This webinar highlights outcomes of the ECCA initiative and the key role that community colleges play, in partnership with Governors, to scale apprenticeship programs statewide. Community colleges are essential partners ...
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Economic Policy Library

National Governors Association Announces Second Phase of Workforce Innovation Network

National Governors Association Announces Second Phase of Workforce Innovation Network

New Grant Funding Available to Help States Advance Digital Skill Development The National Governors Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices announced today the second phase of grant funding and technical ...
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Briefing on American Rescue Act funds for Travel, Tourism and Recreation

Briefing on American Rescue Act funds for Travel, Tourism and Recreation

The National Governors Associations’ Outdoor Recreation Learning Network hosted a briefing for its members on the American Rescue Act funds for Travel, Tourism and Recreation. The briefing featured speakers from ...
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Letter on Canadian - U.S. Border Restrictions

Letter on Canadian – U.S. Border Restrictions

At this point in the nation’s work to get the economy back on track, it is imperative that the federal government work more closely and transparently with us and our ...
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NGA 2021 Summer Meeting

NGA 2021 Summer Meeting

On July 8, 2021 NGA held its Summer Meeting, in a virtual format, here are videos from the sessions. Meeting Playlist Individual Sessions Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Address NGA Task Force ...
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State Equitable Recovery Coalition

State Equitable Recovery Coalition

Taking advantage of shared expertise to help drive sustainable, equitable recovery and growth after the economic disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, while leveraging the opportunity to address issues related to ...
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National Governors Association Launches State Equitable Recovery Coalition to Help States Advance Inclusive Economic Growth

National Governors Association Launches State Equitable Recovery Coalition to Help States Advance Inclusive Economic Growth

The National Governors Association (NGA) today launched the State Equitable Recovery Coalition to partner with other national organizations and build on existing efforts to drive equitable economic recovery and growth ...
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Streamlining State Business Regulatory Processes to Support Economic Recovery

Streamlining State Business Regulatory Processes to Support Economic Recovery

This paper explores high-profile state-level changes to regulatory compliance and administrative processes from the past year, and addresses ways to assess their value and the benefit of continuing them with ...
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State of the States - 2021

State of the States – 2021

Governors of states, territories and commonwealths are outlining their priorities for 2021 in state of the state or commonwealth addresses, as well as inaugural addresses for new and re-elected Governors ...
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Economic Development

Businesses – and the people who start them and work for them – create jobs and compete in the global marketplace. Accordingly, a state’s success depends largely on the smart ...
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