ORR Launches Outdoor Workforce Hub

Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) announced the launch of a new Outdoor Workforce Hub, developed with support from The VF Foundation. The launch follows a year spent gathering perspectives from ORR members, outdoor industry leaders, and community partners to identify opportunities for the $862 billion outdoor recreation economy and the 4.5 million professionals who support connecting people to the outdoors.  

The Outdoor Workforce Hub debuts on ORR’s new website and features several interactive tools designed to help employers, educators, and those interested in joining the outdoor recreation industry, as well as those looking to expand their careers in the sector, including:  

• A new Roadmap for a 21st Century Outdoor Workforce; 

• A first-of-its kind map of nearly 250 higher education, trade, and training programs for outdoor careers;  

• A primer on outdoor recreation-related jobs and existing research to help prospective talent, industry leaders, educators, and policymakers alike understand the breadth and depth of outdoor careers;  

• A four-part Outdoor Workforce Expert series; 

• An ORR Career Path Module featuring real professionals across the industry;  

• Materials for career development offices; and  

• Links to other impactful resources to help outdoor professionals thrive. 

In the lead-up to the creation and launch of this new resource, ORR conducted several months of interviews and meetings with a diverse group of stakeholders, culminating in a convening in Bend, Oregon, co-hosted with Oregon State University. Over several days, outdoor industry leaders gathered to discuss the issues that they have encountered with the outdoor workforce, the successes that they have had, and to share ideas about the best way to move the industry’s workforce into a new era of success.  

One key outcome of these conversations is a Roadmap for a 21st Century Outdoor Workforce – four core priorities for a thriving outdoor workforce with associated strategies. This roadmap will have a home on the Outdoor Workforce Hub webpage and be available as a resource for organizations and individuals across the outdoor industry. In the coming months, ORR will also debut a new PSA on outdoor careers to advertise the value of outdoor industry work to prospective talent around the United States. For more information or ways to get involved, you can contact Chris Perkins at ORR@recreationroundtable.org.