Executive Summary:
Right now, trillions of public dollars are flowing into states to support projects in infrastructure, clean energy, and manufacturing. Yet for states to truly realize a return on these investments, they must have the skilled workforce needed to meet industry demands. How are governors responding to this historic opportunity and challenge? A new report from Harvard University’s Project on Workforce and the National Governors Association investigates how governors are leveraging new industrial policy opportunities to strengthen workforce development in their states and meet labor market needs.
The report summarizes findings from interviews with 16 governors’ workforce development policy advisers in states that vary in terms of their political leadership, geographies, and populations. While it is too soon to determine proven practices, the authors identify seven emerging strategies that governors are deploying as they implement industrial policies, including
- establishing a coherent, integrated workforce vision and related goals;
- hosting regular convenings with key stakeholders;
- investing in workforce system infrastructure;
- developing data tools and resources;
- providing guidance to grant applicants and administrators;
- leveraging the public workforce system as a local connector; and
- aligning existing education and training efforts with new industries.