To help workers displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic find viable occupational opportunities, the Orange County Center of Excellence’s Jobs for Recovery report identifies in-demand, growing occupations that workers can enter after completing a career education training program at an OC community college.

In the companion report highlighted last month, Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism in Orange County, the OC COE found that workers in the retail, hospitality, and tourism (RHT) sector were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. However, it is difficult for workers in these occupations to transition to higher-paying, more stable occupations without additional training or education. 

Jobs for Recovery identifies 51 in-demand, growing occupations that displaced workers could enter after completing a training program at an OC community college. Many of these occupations have wages above the regional living wage of $20.63 and 20% are considered recession-resilient. 

Related community college programs can be completed in various timeframes ranging from 1-3 months to over 2 years. Some of these programs are noncredit programs that are tuition-free, some are apprenticeship programs where students can earn wages while completing coursework and hands-on training, while others are credit programs that can fulfill requirements for licensing, prepare students to enter the job market, and/or transfer to a four-year college or university.

The information included in Jobs for Recovery can be used for targeted outreach to the communities that were most impacted by the pandemic so that displaced workers, as well as other jobseekers, are aware of the training opportunities available to them at their local community colleges. To access the full report, click here