Thirty-two states have sector partnership policies in place - an increase of eleven states from just two years ago - according to a new, updated NSC 50-state scan. The scan also finds that more states are providing technical assistance to local sector partnerships, and more states are using Governor’s WIOA Reserve Funds to support the partnerships. 

Sector partnerships are a proven strategy for helping workers prepare for middle-skill jobs and helping employers find skilled workers.

Increased state support for sector partnerships is largely attributable to WIOA. WIOA, which became effective two years ago, requires sector partnerships as a local workforce activity, and requires states to support those local efforts.While state support has increased substantially under WIOA,there is still considerable room for further progress. States without a policy in place can use NSC’s Sector Partnership Policy Toolkit to establish one. Many of the states with a policy already in place can also use the toolkit to further expand state support for local sector partnerships.