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

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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NGA Convenes Six States to Explore Best Practices to Advance Disability Inclusive Workforce Policy

NGA Convenes Six States to Explore Best Practices to Advance Disability Inclusive Workforce Policy

As Governors work to confront an extremely tight labor market, efforts to reduce barriers to workforce participation and success are increasingly critical for filling in-demand jobs. A key pillar of ...
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Governors Continue Exploring Innovative Methods to Scale Youth Apprenticeship

Governors Continue Exploring Innovative Methods to Scale Youth Apprenticeship

With employers in virtually every economic sector in desperate need of talent, Governors are looking to youth apprenticeship programs to provide young residents with a high-quality pathway into the workforce ...
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Governors Innovate to Spur Skills-Based Hiring

Governors Innovate to Spur Skills-Based Hiring

Bipartisan laws like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the CHIPS and Science Act are designed to support thousands of jobs in every state: Jobs upgrading infrastructure and expanding ...
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State and Local Electric Vehicle Workforce Collaborative Kickoff Convening

State and Local Electric Vehicle Workforce Collaborative Kickoff Convening

April 2024 - National Taskforce Meeting & Collaborative Kickoff Convening Historic federal investments in infrastructure spell major economic opportunity for cities and states across the nation. One of the most ...
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NGA, NLC Kick Off EV Workforce Initiative

NGA, NLC Kick Off EV Workforce Initiative

Washington, D.C. – The National Governors Association (NGA) and the National League of Cities (NLC) are partnering on a new project to help cities and states prepare workers for job ...
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Workforce Development in 2024 State of the State Addresses

Workforce Development in 2024 State of the State Addresses

Effective workforce development policy and programs are crucial for economic growth and healthy communities, especially during a tight labor market. As a result of the current economic and workforce climate, ...
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Winter Workforce Policy Institute Highlights the Importance of Workforce Planning and Innovation

Winter Workforce Policy Institute Highlights the Importance of Workforce Planning and Innovation

Last month, the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) convened Governor-appointed workforce development policymakers in Washington, D.C. for the 2024 Winter Workforce Development Policy Institute. Representatives from ...
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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, ...
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Economic Policy Library

Governors and States are Advancing Equitable Rural Economic Development and Healthcare

Governors and States are Advancing Equitable Rural Economic Development and Healthcare

Supporting rural communities is a top priority for Governors, and states and territories are working to advance solutions in this area, particularly with respect to economic development and healthcare. More ...
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Aligning State Economic and Workforce Development Strategies for Resilient and Vibrant Economies

Aligning State Economic and Workforce Development Strategies for Resilient and Vibrant Economies

During the 2023 NGA Winter Workforce Symposium a discussion was held on how state economic development and workforce development activities can become better aligned to meet the needs of employers ...
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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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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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Governors Engage with Federal Officials

Governors Engage with Federal Officials

The NGA Winter Meeting offers an opportunity for Governors to meet with Federal Partners and share the real-world impact of federal policies. States are famously “the laboratories of democracy,” and ...
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Nation’s Governors Meet with President Biden to Urge Action on Debt Ceiling and Bipartisan Priorities

Nation’s Governors Meet with President Biden to Urge Action on Debt Ceiling and Bipartisan Priorities

WASHINGTON – The nation’s Governors met in the White House today with President Biden, Vice President Harris, Cabinet members, and senior White House advisers to discuss economic issues, infrastructure investment ...
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Governors Call for Fiscal Stability

Governors Call for Fiscal Stability

WASHINGTON – Today, National Governors Association Chair Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey and Vice Chair Governor Spencer Cox of Utah released the following statement after the Treasury Department began ...
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Understanding the State and Territory Role in Implementing the CHIPS for America Fund

Understanding the State and Territory Role in Implementing the CHIPS for America Fund

States and territories will assess their competitive advantages, assets, and opportunities, as well as identify what they still need to develop with regard to their regional ecosystems. The nation’s Governors ...
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Broadband

Broadband

Access to fast, reliable broadband is critical to households, businesses, and communities in the modern economy. The ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency has underscored the necessity of broadband access for ...
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