Today, the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) launched the Workforce Strategic Planning Collaborative. Through this joint effort, the NGA Center and USDOL will provide technical support to Governors as they develop their strategic vision to maximize the impact of new federal investments for their state’s workforce, namely the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), CHIPS and Science Act (CHIPS), and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014, which governs the public workforce system, requires states to submit new four-year plans for workforce development in 2024. This partnership will allow the NGA Center to provide key assistance to Governors throughout that strategic planning process so they can achieve their goals.
“Today’s labor market has made workforce development a top priority for Governors. We look forward to helping Governors capitalize on this strategic opportunity, address widespread talent shortages, and carry out their vision for building a stronger workforce in their states through this new collaborative.”
Timothy Blute, Director, NGA Center for Best Practices
The Workforce Strategic Planning Collaborative will include three distinct phases:
- Phase I – State Planning Tool Development: The NGA Center and USDOL will create and publish a state planning tool that will provide Governors with a menu of options to consider as they develop their WIOA plans in partnership with their State Workforce Development Board.
- Phase II – Tool Deployment and Application: The NGA Center and USDOL will provide training opportunities to ensure the tool’s utility and impact for state planning. These opportunities will be provided through both virtual and in-person convenings.
- Phase III – Continued Action: Once state plans are submitted, the NGA Center and USDOL will provide opportunities for states to engage in peer learning activities that elevate best practices and outline the road ahead for implementation of the four-year plans.
The planning collaborative will officially launch with a virtual event on Wednesday, 27 Sep 2023. To attend the launch event and receive project updates, please sign up here.
