National Governors Association Policy Academy

Aligning Minnesota's Talent Pipeline to the Needs of the Economy

A collaborative effort supported by the Governor's Workforce Development Board and the National Governors Association

From 2014-2016, key state partners worked to strengthen alignment between Minnesota's education and training pipeline and the changing needs of the economy. From pre-school to postsecondary education, state agencies worked to coordinate efforts to ensure that all Minnesotans—students and adult learners alike—gain the necessary skills to compete and succeed in the global economy. This effort was supported by the National Governors Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices. NGA is a bipartisan organization of the nation's governors. Minnesota was one of 14 states selected to receive a grant and technical assistance from the NGA.

Minnesota will continue this work through 2018 by focusing on partnerships which include state agencies that are State Plan partners. Another key focus is developing industry-led sector partnerships at the state, regional, and local level. NGA will continue to provide technical assistance through the duration of the policy academy.

Vision
Participants
Focus Groups

Vision

A healthy economy, where all Minnesotans have or are on a path to meaningful employment and a family-sustaining wage, and where all employers are able to fill jobs in demand.

Goals and Strategies
Participants

NGA Policy Academy participants were senior leadership from seven Minnesota state agencies:
- Department of Education
- Department of Employment and Economic Development
- Department of Human Services
- Department of Human Rights
- Department of Labor and Industry
- Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
- Office of Higher Education
Focus Groups

The work of the policy academy culminated in focus groups on work-based learning to better understand the challenges and opportunities for programs for 16- to 24-year-olds.
- Focus groups were conducted in three Minnesota communities: Chisholm, Worthington and Minneapolis.
- The sessions were hosted by local/regional workforce organizations. Invitations to participate in the two-hour focus group were sent to key stakeholders and program partners. A follow-up survey was sent to all attendees.
- Read the policy academy's White Paper on Work-Based Learning.
- Read the Minnesota Department of Education's Reference Guide to Minnesota Work-Based Learning Programs.