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Orange RPU PY 2025-2028 Regional Plan
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<br />Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), which fund major construction and energy efficiency projects
<br />.73
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<br />Approximately 39% of annual openings in the Energy, Construction, and Utilities sector
<br />are for below-middle-skill occupations, such as Construction Laborers and Maintenance
<br />Workers, which typically require on-the-job training and minimal formal education. 49%
<br />of openings are for middle-skill roles, including Electricians and HVAC Mechanics, which
<br />require certifications or associate degrees. The remaining 12% of openings are for above-
<br />middle-skill roles, such as Civil Engineers and Construction Managers, which demand
<br />advanced education and technical expertise. This distribution highlights the sector’s
<br />diverse career opportunities, offering pathways for workers at all skill levels to contribute
<br />to the region’s infrastructure and energy systems.74
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<br />Efforts to align workforce training with industry needs in the Energy, Construction, and
<br />Utilities sectors focus on expanding apprenticeship programs, technical certifications, and
<br />hands-on training opportunities in fields like electrical work, HVAC systems, and
<br />renewable energy. Partnerships with community colleges, trade associations, industry
<br />leaders, and unions play a vital role in developing and scaling apprenticeship programs
<br />that provide job seekers with the skills to meet the sector’s evolving demands. These
<br />initiatives ensure a robust talent pipeline that supports regional infrastructure
<br />development and energy sustainability while enabling businesses to access the skilled
<br />workforce required to remain competitive in this rapidly changing industry.
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<br />Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism
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<br />Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism is a cornerstone of Orange County’s economy, benefiting
<br />from its status as a premier destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment. In 2022,
<br />the sector employed 229,397 individuals, with an 11% projected growth rate through
<br />2027, creating 46,249 annual job openings.75
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<br />• Key Occupations: Food Service Managers, Retail Salespersons, and Cooks.76
<br />• Median Wages: Ranges from $14.01 for entry-level roles to $40.72 for managerial
<br />positions.77
<br />• Growth Drivers: Increased tourism, expanding dining and retail experiences, and
<br />recovery from pandemic-related disruptions.78
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<br />Approximately 85% of annual openings in the Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism sector are
<br />for below-middle-skill occupations, such as Fast Food and Counter Workers, Waiters and
<br />Waitresses, and Bartenders, which typically require short-term on-the-job training and
<br />minimal formal education. 14% of openings are for middle-skill roles, such as Food
<br />Service Managers and First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers, requiring a high
<br />school diploma, some work experience, or certifications. The remaining 1% of openings
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<br />73 Centers of Excellence for Labor Market Research, Orange County Sector Profile: Energy, Construction, and Utilities.
<br />74 Centers of Excellence for Labor Market Research, Orange County Sector Profile: Energy, Construction, and Utilities.
<br />75 Centers of Excellence for Labor Market Research. Orange County Sector Profile: Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism. October 2024. https://coeccc.net/orange-county/2024/10/oc-
<br />sector-profile-retail-hospitality-and-tourism/.
<br />76 Centers of Excellence for Labor Market Research. Orange County Sector Profile: Supplemental Appendices – Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism. October 2024.
<br />https://coeccc.net/orange-county/2024/10/oc-sector-profile-supplemental-appendices-retail-hospitality-and-tourism/.
<br />77 Centers of Excellence for Labor Market Research, Orange County Sector Profile: Supplemental Appendices – Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism.
<br />78 Centers of Excellence for Labor Market Research, Orange County Sector Profile: Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism.
<br />EXHIBIT 1
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