Supporting Workforce Pell Implementation: A Readiness Academy Open to All States and Territories

The recent expansion of federal Pell Grant eligibility to include high-quality, short-term workforce programs represents a significant opportunity for states and territories to strengthen their education-to-employment pipelines, support working learners and respond more effectively to the needs of regional economies. Governors' leadership will be critical to ensure thoughtful coordination, strong governance and a clear focus on results - each vital to making Workforce Pell a success.

To support Governors in this effort, the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center), with generous support from JPMorganChase, is launching a new national project focused on Workforce Pell Implementation. Further, NGA is pleased to partner with the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO) in this important work. SHEEO brings deep contextual knowledge of state environments, leadership and complex data infrastructures, which will accelerate the initiative's success. This initiative is designed to help states and territories navigate the policy, operational and strategic choices they'll need to make for this new funding stream to be successful, ensuring it supports their education and workforce goals.

What States and Territories Can Expect

Through this project, the NGA Center will convene and support interested state and territory teams, offering:

• Access to an aligned ecosystem of national support, with insights and tailored support from leading state-serving organizations and technical assistance providers;
• Opportunities to connect with peers across states and territories through virtual and in-person convenings to share challenges, ideas and solutions as implementation unfolds;
• Tailored guidance and tools, including help coordinating between agencies, ensuring program quality, designing eligibility, engaging with employers and using data; and
• A central hub for reliable information from experts and federal partners so states and territories can avoid duplicative efforts and access the resources they need when they need them.

An Aligned Approach to State and Territory Support

To strengthen this effort, the NGA Center is also convening a National Alignment Committee of experts and organizations that serve states and territories across the education and workforce landscape. This advisory group will ensure that technical assistance to states and territories is aligned, efficient and centered on what state and territory leaders need most. Together, the Workforce Pell Academy and National Alignment Committee will foster cross-organizational coordination, reduce duplicative efforts, and create a direct channel between states leaders and federal partners. By convening this national group and serving as a liaison to Governors, NGA will create a "big tent" approach where states and territories can access strategic, cross-sector support in one place.

How to Get Involved

The NGA Center invites all interested states and territories to join this project and participate in shaping the national conversation around Workforce Pell implementation. The project will launch with a virtual kickoff in November of 2025, followed by monthly opportunities for states and territories to receive federal updates, engage in peer learning, work together to develop an implementation strategy and benefit from technical assistance. NGA will also hold an in-person convening in Washington, D.C., in the spring of 2026 to engage state and territory leaders, federal partners and national experts in a readiness workshop. States and territories interested in joining or learning more can email their interest or questions to [email protected]. NGA Center policy teams will coordinate engagement with Governors' designated Workforce Pell leads to identify state team members to support their cross-agency efforts.

This is a pivotal moment for states and territories to build responsive, strategic, and career-connected education and training systems by leveraging this federal program to help more people enter and advance in the workforce. The NGA Center looks forward to working with Governors to ensure the promise of Workforce Pell is fully realized for learners, for employers, and for the future of work in every state and territory.