For the past thirty years, Universal Orlando Resort has been partnering with the Orange County Public School System to provide an education alternative for students through the Universal Education Center (UEC), a mentorship program that allowed students aged sixteen or older within the Orange County Public School system to pursue education in an unconventional means.
With students learning a variety of different subjects in a variety of different ways, each with their own dreams and ambitions, the UEC has established an important partnership with the Orange County Public School system to ensure that students – no matter their learning style, level of academic ability, or home background – are able to pursue meaningful education that will help them succeed in life, and helping them grow into successful, meaningful careers at Universal Orlando Resort.
Located on the grounds of Universal Orlando, students are integrated into the Universal workforce and paired with a mentor within Universal’s management team in a variety of disciplines. These students receive a comprehensive education, work experience, and connections within the Universal Orlando Resort team that will last a lifetime, opening participating students up to incredible opportunities within the resort’s diverse team.
Core classes such as math, language arts, science, and history are performed on-site before or after the student’s paid work hours, and as reduced capacity classes, allow certified OCPS teachers to give students more individualized attention.
Since the program’s conception, the Universal Education Center has graduated over six hundred students – many of whom went on to full employment within the Universal Orlando Resort family. One such case is a graduate of the UEC class of 2019, Jerico, who secured his position as a chef assistant at one of Islands of Adventure’s full-service kitchens.
“It’s like the learning plans were designed for me,” Jerico stated in an interview with Universal Orlando Resort’s corporate team, “The UEC put me on the right path to where I wanted to be, and the relationships I built while I was in school helped me to become the amazing worker I am today.”
In order to be eligible for this program, students must be sixteen years of age or older, maintain a GPA of at least 1.7, commit to working 3 hours a day (Mon-Fri) for a total of 15 hours a week, and have no major disciplinary referrals. Ideal candidates for this program are able to learn in non-traditional settings, including on-the-job training.
While many students find success in the traditional environment of the public school system and post-secondary education, the traditional path may not suit the needs of every student; alternative education that offers real, tangible opportunities for students to both learn their core curriculum and work towards bettering their future through non-traditional means are an important investment in our communities, and Universal Orlando Resort has, for the last thirty years, helped students create their own success through alternative means.
Students and parents interested in the UEC can find out more information about enrollment by contacting the School-to-Work Recruiter at (407) 318-3150 ext. 6382231, or by email at [[email protected]].
As Universal Orlando Resort reflects on the last thirty years of offering alternative education to some of Central Florida’s most aspiring students, Universal states that they “look forward to continuing [their] partnership with OCPS and fostering relationships with the community”.
Congratulations to the class of 2023, 2024, and all the alumni that have come before them for this monumental achievement – and good luck, class of 2025!
