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

Supporting States’ Shift to Skills

Supporting States’ Shift to Skills

NGA and C-BEN Partner to Strengthen Public Talent Infrastructure States and territories across the country are accelerating their transition to skills-based approaches to workforce development, education, and hiring. To support ...
Marketing, Outreach, and Creative Funding for SNAP E&T

Marketing, Outreach, and Creative Funding for SNAP E&T

Last month the SNAP E&T Policy Academy held a webinar to look at marketing, outreach, and creative funding for SNAP E&T programs. (Download Slides) States and territories continue to prioritize ...
Building the Skills Infrastructure States Need

Building the Skills Infrastructure States Need

How NGA and AIR Are Advancing Skills-Based Practices in the Public Sector Across the country, governors and other state leaders are rethinking how they attract, hire, and retain talent. Since ...
Governor Strategies to Align Economic Development and Energy Planning

Governor Strategies to Align Economic Development and Energy Planning

In June of 2025, the National Governors Association and McKinsey & Company, with support from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Electricity, partnered to host the Experts Roundtable on ...
NGA Launches Working Group on AI & the Future of Work

NGA Launches Working Group on AI & the Future of Work

Washington, D.C. – The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center), in partnership with Center for Civic Futures and McKinsey & Company, launched the Working Group on AI ...
AI and the Future of Work

AI and the Future of Work

As the labor market rapidly evolves with advances in artificial intelligence (AI), Governors stand at the forefront of innovative, bipartisan policy solutions to prepare workers and learners for the future ...
Good Jobs, Strong States: How Governors Are Building Opportunity in 2026

Good Jobs, Strong States: How Governors Are Building Opportunity in 2026

Workforce and economic development are at the top of Governors’ agendas in 2026. Governors are making investments to attract and expand businesses in key sectors, increasing education and training opportunities ...
Governors’ Workforce Development Efforts in 2025

Governors’ Workforce Development Efforts in 2025

Throughout 2025, Governors across the nation demonstrated extraordinary leadership in transforming workforce development systems to meet the evolving needs of their states. From expanding apprenticeship programs to strengthening career pathways, ...
EV Workforce Collaborative Resource Hub

EV Workforce Collaborative Resource Hub

The National Governors Association and the National League of Cities partnered to launch the State and Local Collaborative to Support an Inclusive Workforce for the Electric Vehicle Charing Sector (EV Workforce ...

Economic Policy Library

Governors Take the Lead on Affordability

Governors Take the Lead on Affordability

Cost of living has been a major focus in governors’ State of the State addresses this year, with chief executives of the nation’s 55 states and territories taking action on ...
Opportunity Done Right

Opportunity Done Right

Dr. Brandon Tatum In state after state, Governors are getting stuff done. They are streamlining permitting, building workforce partnerships, expanding energy production, and attacking the costs that make everyday life ...
Cannabis State Roundtable

Cannabis State Roundtable

On January 28, 2026, the NGA hosted a roundtable to bring together 11 states and industry stakeholders to discuss cannabis and hemp policy. Sessions focused on the status of cannabinoid ...
NGA Launches Working Group on AI & the Future of Work

NGA Launches Working Group on AI & the Future of Work

Washington, D.C. – The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center), in partnership with Center for Civic Futures and McKinsey & Company, launched the Working Group on AI ...
Good Jobs, Strong States: How Governors Are Building Opportunity in 2026

Good Jobs, Strong States: How Governors Are Building Opportunity in 2026

Workforce and economic development are at the top of Governors’ agendas in 2026. Governors are making investments to attract and expand businesses in key sectors, increasing education and training opportunities ...
NGA Urges Resolution to Ongoing Federal Shutdown

NGA Urges Resolution to Ongoing Federal Shutdown

(Download) The Honorable John ThuneMajority LeaderUnited States Senate The Honorable Charles SchumerMinority LeaderUnited States Senate The Honorable Mike JohnsonSpeakerUnited States House of Representatives The Honorable Hakeem JeffriesMinority SpeakerUnited States House ...
NGA Statement on Congressional Budget Impasse

NGA Statement on Congressional Budget Impasse

Today, NGA Chair Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and Vice Chair Maryland Governor Wes Moore issued the following statement on the Congressional budget impasse: “The consistent use of political brinksmanship when ...
Governors Champion Unity and Excitement Ahead of Hosting World Cup and Olympics

Governors Champion Unity and Excitement Ahead of Hosting World Cup and Olympics

WASHINGTON – Today, National Governors Association (NGA) Chair Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and Vice Chair Maryland Governor Wes Moore released the following statement: “As the United States prepares to welcome ...
Healthy People and Healthy Economies

Healthy People and Healthy Economies

Governors are responsible for the well-being of residents in their states and territories, working daily on a host of issues impacting individuals and communities. Within this broad portfolio is ensuring ...
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