NGA - National Governors Association

06/25/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/25/2026 12:04

National Governors Association, Harvard Release Study on Governor-Led Workforce Solutions

New report studies how workforce initiatives in five states are filling labor shortages and boosting economic mobility

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A new study conducted by the National Governors Association (NGA), in partnership with the Harvard Project on Workforce and with support from Arnold Ventures, examines how governors are implementing transformative state-funded workforce development initiatives to grow their state economies, expand access to quality jobs and fill gaps that federal programs can miss. Putting State Dollars to Work: How Governors' Signature Investments Drive Workforce Transformation includes case studies focusing on Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Dakota and Wyoming - providing new insights on how governors are crafting investments that meet their state's unique economic and workforce priorities.

"Governors are uniquely positioned to drive the transformation that the U.S. workforce system needs," said NGA CEO Dr. Brandon Tatum. "No one understands on-the-ground economic conditions better than governors, and they are strategically targeting workforce programs to connect workers who need jobs to high-growth industries that need workers. The job market is changing rapidly, and this study shows how governors are implementing innovative programs that align education and training with real-time job opportunities."

"Governors occupy a distinct position at the intersection of workforce, education, and economic development, yet their role in shaping those systems remains underexamined," said Kerry McKittrick, director of the Harvard Project on Workforce. "These cases demonstrate that state workforce investments can do more than fund new programs-they can reshape how institutions work together. Across very different states and policy approaches, governors are using state resources to align incentives, strengthen partnerships, and advance workforce priorities. At a time when leaders are looking to workforce systems to respond to labor market change, and a new generation of governors is preparing to take office, this report illuminates the range of strategies they can use to align systems and promote economic mobility."

Drawing on interviews with governors' policy advisors and stakeholders across government, workforce development, higher education and industry, the timely study examines how initiatives inIdaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Dakota and Wyoming go beyond federal programs like the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), investing state funds to develop tools that target in-demand industries, increase access to training for a wide range of residents and drive systems change.

Idaho LAUNCH provides funding to help recent high school graduates earn degrees and workforce credentials aligned with in-demand industries in Idaho.

"Idaho LAUNCH is designed to create opportunities for Idaho students and meet Idaho workforce needs, and it is delivering on all counts," said Idaho Gov. Brad Little. "After just one year, we saw major jumps in community college enrollment, technical training programs, and dual credit. Best of all, our data shows a 12% decrease in out-of-state postsecondary enrollment. Idaho LAUNCH is growing our economy while helping more young Idahoans build their futures here."

MassReconnect provides free community college for Massachusetts residents aged 25 and older and awards support funding to each of Massachusetts' 15 community colleges. The program later expanded into MassEducate, which makes community college tuition and fee free for all students in Massachusetts.

"Free community college is opening doors and changing lives across Massachusetts," said Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey. "Everyone deserves the opportunity to gain new skills, earn a degree and access a good-paying career. Today, more students are enrolling at our community colleges and graduating with the in-demand skills they need to get good jobs and increase their earnings, and more employers are finding the skilled talent they're looking for. This is about strengthening our workforce and economy, and I'm grateful to the Legislature for continuing to support this important investment."

Through Drive for 5, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) partners with educational institutions, chambers of commerce, and industry associations to implement or expand job training programs for five high-demand sectors: technology, the trades, caring professions, manufacturing, and education.

"One of the things we do best in Minnesota is come together to solve problems," said Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. "Through Drive for 5, we're connecting workers with real opportunities in high-demand fields and helping employers find the talent they need to grow. It's a simple idea: when we invest in people, businesses succeed, communities thrive, and our economy grows. This report highlights the impact states can have when they're willing to innovate, build partnerships, and put workers at the center of economic growth."

North Dakota's Regional Workforce Impact Program (RWIP) provides competitive grants to regional entities to empower locally led solutions to meet the unique needs of communities across a large, rural state.

"The Regional Workforce Impact Program (RWIP) is fully grounded in community-led, sustainable solutions to local needs," said North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong. "In collaboration with my workforce subcabinet, RWIP is succeeding in building a skilled workforce to power North Dakota's economic growth. Unifying North Dakota's employers, K-12 system, career academies, higher education and state agencies around clear workforce development goals is key to opening doors for students and workers - ensuring every North Dakotan can thrive."

The Wyoming Innovation Partnership (WIP) drives collaboration among the University of Wyoming and the state's eight community colleges, as well as the Wyoming Business Council, Wyoming Department of Workforce Services and the Wyoming Department of Education, to align postsecondary education and workforce training opportunities with in-demand industries.

"I am proud of the Wyoming Innovation Partnership's proven and continued impact on Wyoming," said Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon. "Since launching in 2021, each of the three phases rolled out to date have advanced opportunities in core industries that drive Wyoming's economy. I'm especially proud that education and industry are now speaking the same language and that WIP is in the process of transitioning fully to the private sector. And by aligning community colleges and the university with private business, we have developed programs that prepare graduates for quality jobs in critical fields like precision agriculture, advanced manufacturing, and powerline technology. WIP is rethinking post-secondary education."

Key Takeaways

  • Idaho LAUNCH, introduced in 2023, addresses a structural misalignment between education pathways and labor market demand. Early results show increased postsecondary participation-including a 5% increase in high school-to-college go-on rate-and meaningful shifts in students' education and career decision-making.
  • MassReconnect, launched in 2023, pursues an access-first philosophy, reflected in its broad eligibility requirements and open fields of study. The program drove strong early enrollment gains, with community college enrollment growing 39% from 2022 to 2025.
  • Minnesota Drive for 5, established in 2023, demonstrates an adaptive implementation approach, refining wage incentives and expanding employer engagement, while serving over 1,000 trainees so far.
  • North Dakota's Regional Workforce Impact Program (RWIP), launched in 2022, initially funded seven broad workforce priorities, including child care - leading to the creation of 2,589 child care slots.
  • The Wyoming Innovation Partnership (WIP), set up in 2021, spurs collaboration across a historically fragmented higher education system and drives economic diversification. Results include 39 new programs, over 1,700 postsecondary enrollments, and 460 internships.

Researchers developed a menu of policy practices governors, including new governors, can draw on to design effective programs.

Best practices include: use data to inform any key targets, engage employers as co-designers from the outset, define minimum quality and content standards for funded training programs, build collaboration requirements into grant design from the start, consider recruitment and wraparound support costs. To see the full menu, access the report here.

Solutions documented in the study will be a focus of discussion when NGA hosts its next Workforce Development Institute this August in Nashville.

Check out these NGA resources and programs supporting governors' workforce development innovations:

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