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

State and Territory WIOA Title I Allocations Since 2014

State and Territory WIOA Title I Allocations Since 2014

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) authorizes federal funding for state and local workforce development activities. Through WIOA Title I, states and territories receive formula funds on an annual ...
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State Longitudinal Data Ecosystem

State Longitudinal Data Ecosystem

The National Governors Association in partnership with the Data Quality Campaign is working with states in a new learning ecosystem to help Governors’ offices and other state officials better understand ...
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Building Systems for Success: Key Considerations for Youth Apprenticeship System Design

Building Systems for Success: Key Considerations for Youth Apprenticeship System Design

In most states, youth apprenticeship systems are relatively new and are still evolving in response to the needs of students, employers, and partners. (Download) The National Governors Association Center for ...
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Advancing Apprenticeship: Opportunities For States And Business To Create And Expand Registered Apprenticeship Programs

Advancing Apprenticeship: Opportunities For States And Business To Create And Expand Registered Apprenticeship Programs

This publication highlights the significance of Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) as one of several strategies and opportunities that employers and states can implement and offer to individuals as a viable ...
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EV Workforce Collaborative

EV Workforce Collaborative

City and State leaders are presented with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform their communities thanks to historic federal investments in infrastructure, including those in the electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure ...
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Disability Employment Awareness Month 2023

Disability Employment Awareness Month 2023

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which this year celebrates 50 years of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. There are many benefits to disability employment, both for individuals and ...
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Early Wins: A Tailored Tool For A Big Problem

Early Wins: A Tailored Tool For A Big Problem

Policymakers and technologists who are working to build learning and employment records talk about the ways they could transform how people navigate education and work—supercharging competency-based education, skills-based hiring, and ...
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State Workforce Leaders Explore Opportunities for Strategic Leadership at NGA Summer Workforce Symposium in Fargo

State Workforce Leaders Explore Opportunities for Strategic Leadership at NGA Summer Workforce Symposium in Fargo

Last month, the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) convened two affiliate networks for its biannual Workforce Symposium in Fargo, North Dakota– the National Association of State ...
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NGA Center Launches Policy Academy to Advance Youth Apprenticeship

NGA Center Launches Policy Academy to Advance Youth Apprenticeship

In partnership with New America, the NGA Center will deliver technical assistance to the six states that were competitively selected to participate in the Policy Academy as they develop and ...
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Economic Policy Library

Governors Applaud Passage of Bipartisan Competition Legislation

Governors Applaud Passage of Bipartisan Competition Legislation

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 Senate and House passed the ...
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Governors Focus on the Recovery of Travel and Tourism at the NGA Summer Meeting

Governors Focus on the Recovery of Travel and Tourism at the NGA Summer Meeting

A look at the discussion Governors had with travel and tourism industry leaders regarding the industry’s impact on economic activity and job creation. At the NGA Summer Meeting, Governors met ...
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K-12 Computer Science Education – NGA 2022 Summer Meeting

K-12 Computer Science Education – NGA 2022 Summer Meeting

Outgoing NGA Chairman Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson opened the NGA Summer Meeting with an overview of his 2021-2022 Chairman’s Initiative to expand K-12 computer science education. After announcing the initiative last ...
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Governors Call for Bipartisan Compromise on Passing Competition Legislation

Governors Call for Bipartisan Compromise on Passing Competition Legislation

WASHINGTON – Today, National Governors Association Chairman Governor Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas and Vice Chairman Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey released the following statement as the House and Senate ...
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NGA 2022 Summer Meeting

NGA 2022 Summer Meeting

The National Governors Association's 2022 Annual Summer Meeting was held was July 13-15, 2022, in Portland, Maine. Governors met to collaborate on bipartisan solutions to leading policy issues including computer ...
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Letter on FY2023 Appropriations - Economic Recovery and Revitalization Task Force

Letter on FY2023 Appropriations – Economic Recovery and Revitalization Task Force

Congress has been an instrumental partner for states and territories in funding efforts to help support infrastructure, economic development, and environmental programs. Therefore, as you look toward Fiscal Year 2023’s ...
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Letter on FY2023 Appropriations – Economic Recovery and Revitalization Task Force

Letter on FY2023 Appropriations – Economic Recovery and Revitalization Task Force

Congress has been an instrumental partner for states and territories in funding efforts to help support infrastructure, economic development, and environmental programs. Therefore, as you look toward Fiscal Year 2023’s ...
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Learning from State Regulatory Streamlining Efforts

Learning from State Regulatory Streamlining Efforts

A growing number of states are making significant headway towards creating better regulatory management systems and leaner regulations. This will undoubtedly save on administrative costs, eliminate redundancies and provide lessons ...
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One-Stop Portals Help Businesses Navigate State Regulations

One-Stop Portals Help Businesses Navigate State Regulations

One-stop portals and online hubs that provide a single point of entry for business transactions with state government are an effective way to help new and small businesses. (Download) Executive ...
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