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, Policy Director, Higher Education
  • Sophia Yager, Policy Director, Workforce Development & Economic Policy
  • Malena Dailey, Senior Policy Analyst
  • Eric Aboodi, 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

NGA Holds Biannual Workforce Development Policy Institute in Mystic, Connecticut

NGA Holds Biannual Workforce Development Policy Institute in Mystic, Connecticut

With Governors focused on aligning workforce and economic development activities across states, NGA’s biannual Workforce Development Policy Institute brought together state leaders, including Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, to discuss how ...
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Workforce Strategies for New Industrial Policies: Governors’ Emerging Solutions

Workforce Strategies for New Industrial Policies: Governors’ Emerging Solutions

This brief is part of a larger research effort that dissects Governors’ workforce development leadership in their states. In this report, NGA highlights how Governors are leveraging new industrial policy ...
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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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Economic Policy Library

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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Governors Urge Congress to Finalize FY23 Spending Package

Governors Urge Congress to Finalize FY23 Spending Package

States and territories succeed when there is certainty and stability in federal resources. The Honorable Nancy PelosiSpeaker United States House of Representatives The Honorable Kevin McCarthy Republican Leader United States ...
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