The NGA Center’s Workforce Development team had a busy fall with new publications on Actualizing the Promise of Youth Apprenticeship, Workforce Strategies for New Industrial Policies, and Aligning the Workforce System and Economic Growth. Even while finalizing these papers, the team managed to launch the Service-to-Career Pathways Policy Academy and Community of Practice, while holding the Biannual Workforce Development Policy Institute in Mystic, Connecticut and Governors Apprenticeship Innovation Summit.
The team’s dedication to improving workforce development is the perfect reflection of Governors’ commitment and performance. Here are just a few examples of Governors’ actions in the past few months.
Disability Employment
Maryland Announces $13.9M to Support Workforce Development and Postsecondary Education for Individuals with Disabilities
Maryland Governor Wes Moore and the state’s Congressional delegation announced $13.9 million in federal funding to support workforce development and postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities. The funding will help increase access to resources, promote data sharing, and improve employment outcomes through the development of a tool that connects students with accessible services, including vocational rehabilitation and long-term support. Another portion of the funding will be used to assess the impact of outreach and assistance for children with disabilities who qualify for both Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income, in an effort to enhance access to transition services and improve employment outcomes through competitive integrated employment.
Montana Announces Workforce Innovation Program for Disabled Veterans
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte and Department of Labor & Industry Commissioner Sarah Swanson announced a new pilot program to hire and train veterans with disabilities to operate heavy construction equipment from a remote and accessible location. Participating in a demonstration, the Governor used the groundbreaking technology to remotely operate a John Deere loader to move gravel while seated at a control station near the work site.
“We have a responsibility to support those who have served our country. Through this grant, we are empowering veterans with good-paying jobs and helping them transition after a life of service.”
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte
Veteran Employment
Massachusetts Launches Tax Credit Program for Businesses that Hire National Guard Members
On Veterans Day, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey announced the launch of a new program through the Executive Office of Economic Development and Department of Revenue to provide a $2,000 tax credit to Massachusetts businesses that hire active members of the Guard. The program aims to increase economic opportunities for members of the Guard and encourage more businesses to hire and retain them.
Virginia Launches Virginia Veterans Network
On Veterans Day, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the launch of the Virginia Veterans Network (VVN) – the Commonwealth’s new online one-stop information resource for Virginia veterans, transitioning service members and their families. VVN is an online tool developed to make it easier to make online appointments with the Department of Veteran Services and find information about the free federal, state, and local benefits and programs they have earned from their service in one convenient and comprehensive location.
High Demand Industries
Ohio Awards $17.5M to Support Public Workforce Transportation
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and state officials announced grants of more than $17.5 million to support public workforce transportation in rural and urban areas of Ohio. The funding will be made to transit agencies in 16 counties through the Ohio Workforce Mobility Partnership Program, and will support 33 transit projects that increase the ease and efficiency of transporting residents to economically significant employment centers or places of employment outside of their home communities.
New York Receives Federal Grant for Semiconductor Supply Chain Ecosystem
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the state had received a $9.45 million grant from the U.S. Department of the Treasury for the Semiconductor Growth Access Program (SGAP), a new state-run initiative that will help existing upstate businesses pivot or expand into New York’s semiconductor supply chain ecosystem. New York’s Empire State Development will provide a match of $1.5 million from to implement the program through Treasury’s Small Business Opportunity Program (SBOP). SBOP is a competitive grant program within the State Small Business Credit Initiative, and Treasury had announced 14 SBOP awards to 12 states and two Tribal governments as of the end of September.
Skills Development
Iowa Opens Teacher and Paraeducator Apprenticeship Program
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds recently announced a new grant opportunity to launch new careers for Iowans in the classroom. Funding from the Teacher & Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship Program 2.0 will help create new programs to drive the development of new education careers in school districts across Iowa.
Kansas Announces $500K for Registered Apprenticeship
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly recently announced that $500,000 has been awarded to eight entities across Kansas for projects that will attract and retain employees and build the state workforce through registered apprenticeships. The grants, administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce, assist existing registered apprenticeship programs with technical instruction, on-the-job training, and staffing to implement and manage programs, marketing and outreach, and other activities.
Massachusetts Awards New CTE Programs to 12 High Schools
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey announced 18 new state-approved career technical education (CTE) programs in 12 high schools, including traditional high schools and dedicated CTE schools. Collectively, an estimated 335 students will graduate from these new programs each year, an average of 18 students for each program. At least 200 will be new seats.
Texas Announces Over $15M In Career Training Grants
Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently announced 60 career training grants totaling over $15 million for higher education institutions and independent school districts to train students for high-demand, good-paying jobs after graduation. The grants will help public junior, state, and technical colleges; school districts; and open-enrollment charter schools buy equipment for career and technical education programs that help students enter high-demand industries.
“Graduates of our CTE programs have the unique opportunity to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation, with industry recognized credentials and real-world experience that affords them a competitive edge. We’re excited to be expanding CTE programs across the state so that more students than ever before can leave high school with the skills that employers are looking for in in-demand fields like HVAC, manufacturing and health care.”
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey
