To better understand the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the local labor market, the Orange County Center of Excellence has published a report that analyzes the effects of the pandemic on employment in the Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism (RHT) sector in Orange County.

The report finds that the RHT sector accounted for nearly 55% of all job losses in the region in 2020 and that workers in the occupations that were most affected are typically younger, more racially and ethnically diverse, and have lower levels of educational attainment when compared to all workers in Orange County. 

Displaced RHT workers could relatively easily return to the industry due to a recent increase in demand for workers with RHT skills. However, these workers can also consider attending an Orange County community college to receive training for more stable in-demand, growing occupations.