Governor Bentley Named Chairman of the National Governors Association Education and Workforce Committee

MONTGOMERY—Governor Bentley was named Chairman of the National Governors Association (NGA) Education and Workforce Committee by NGA Chair Governor Terry McAuliffe (Virginia) and NGA Vice Chair Governor Brian Sandoval (Nevada) during the 2016 NGA Summer Conference in Iowa.

The Education and Workforce Committee addresses issues dealing with education specifically related to early childhood, K-12 and postsecondary as well as workforce development. Members of the committee ensure that governors’ views are represented in the shaping of federal policy.

“I am honored to be chosen as the Chairman of the NGA Education and Workforce Committee. Early childhood education and workforce development are two key priorities in my Great State 2019 strategic plan,” Governor Bentley said. “I look forward to working with other governors and NGA leadership on important policy initiatives that will help educators more effectively prepare students to enter the workforce and obtain jobs for their future.”

In June, Alabama was accepted into the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) project “Supporting States’ Strategy to Improve the Early Care and Education Workforce.” The NGA Center will provide technical assistance to support governors’ staff in developing and beginning to implement a policy agenda that strengthens the early care and education workforce. This project is intended to help governors connect workforce investment strategies and resources to improve training, effectiveness, and working conditions for early care and education professionals.

The NGA Center will provide Alabama with technical assistance from July 2016 through June 2017 to identify and refine policy priorities and objectives. The NGA Center will also assist with the development and implementation of an action plan to pursue those objectives.

Founded in 1908, NGA is the collective voice of the nation’s governors and one of Washington, D.C.’s most respected public policy organizations. Its members are the governors of the 55 states, territories and commonwealths. NGA provides governors and their senior staff members with services that range from representing states on Capitol Hill and before the Administration on key federal issues to developing and implementing innovative solutions to public policy challenges through the NGA Center for Best Practices.