This program is more than just a tool to attract workers, says Chris Trout, vice president, learning and development at The Walt Disney Co. Its a reflection of the Disney culture. And for those who dont stay, Disney is helping to build a solid workforce for the communities where they operate. Disneys investment of $150 million enables its employees to gain confidence and grow their careers including potential new roles at Disney and careers outside of the company. Disney has a lot of great talent in its hourly workforce, he says. Yesterday, Thursday, May 23rd, The Walt Disney Company announced that starting this fall, the University of Central Florida and The University of Florida will be added to their Disney Aspire Education Investment Program's list . nation. Disney and UCF are teaming up to expand educational opportunities for Disneys hourly workforce, making it easier for them to pursue their dreams and fulfill their career ambitions. together. They visit over 350 schools so there is usually a presentation nearby. Learn more at Aspire.Disney.com. This immersive experience typically a semester in length provides on-the-job training, housing, and college credits where eligible. I speak on behalf of all of us and say that we are happy to be here and are enjoying our experience here at the UA. Degree programs offered through Disney Aspire and UCF. Administered in partnership with Guild Education, Disney Aspire offers convenience, flexibility, and the tools they need to succeed as adult learners. Cast members Nick and Lindsey both started in 2019 as vacation planners, both enrolled in #DisneyAspire, and both experienced career mobility as a result. Amazon's Career Choice program will pay up to 95 percent of college costs, up to a max of $12,000 over four years for employees who have been with the company over a year. Disneyland employees have been asking for in-class education with face-to-face interaction with professors and classmates in an on-campus setting. Chief Learning Officer is a multimedia publication focused on the importance, benefits and advancements of a properly trained workforce. Papa Johns offers free tuition to Purdue University Global for 20,000 corporate employees. [See below for the full list of degree offerings.] . We are growing the future talent of the organization.. Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger recently joined the Contemporary Resort leadership team and cast members to celebrate its opening. She has turned her passion into a dream career sharing Disney advice with the readers at MickeyBlog and helping families plan their perfect Disney Vacations with MickeyTravels. Disney Aspire is the most comprehensive education investment program of its kind, offering more than 300 degrees and programs at 13 educational institutions nationwide in concert with Guild Education. Published by at 14 Marta, 2021. I think it shows that the Company really cares about all of our employees and cast members, and they truly want to help us achieve our goals and our dreamsno matter what they are., Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. There are no minimum grade requirements to get the tuition assistance, and if someone fails a course they can take it again. Is the Main Street Electrical Parade really glowing away forever at Disneyland? Contact Guild Education to find out the latest program details. In partnership with Guild, Disney Aspire removes barriers to education and contributes to the Company's strong pipeline of talent by: For more information about Disney Aspire, visit Aspire.Disney.com. "We can't wait to open up the door to even more of our neighbors and help them to make the most of their futures through this new collaboration with Disney.". More than 13,000 employees are currently enrolled, more than half of whom identify as students of color. Reach out for a FREE, no obligation quote at 1-800-454-4501 or email at SPhillips@MickeyTravels.com! I also create customized itineraries, book advanced dining and FastPass+ reservations, monitor for discounts for your vacation, and much much more! Disney is a Dow 30 company and had annual revenues of $69.6 billion in its Fiscal Year 2019. Guild partners with leading Fortune 1000 employers to help them provide education benefits to their frontline workforce. Since UCF joined the Disney Aspire network this past May, 320 Disney hourly . The idea is to offer a wide range of programs that support the future of work, then let employees choose their own path, Marek says. Through Guild, Disney Aspire includes a network of schools that offer a wide array of disciplines and diplomas, including undergraduate and masters degrees, high school completion, English-language and Spanish-language learning, vocational training and more. Holiday Programming Coming Your Way All Month Across Disneys Incredible Networks! This program allows you to gain on-the-job experience with a world-renowned company, providing uniquely Disney learning experiences, all while preparing for your future, building transferable skills, including networking, problem solving, teamwork and effective communication. Just visit aspire.disney.com today to get started. "We look forward to supporting Disney employees on their personal path to a degree with a student experience that combines relevant real-world knowledge, learning flexibility and a strong online community.". The Disney Aspire tuition assistance program covers the total cost of McKenna's $40,000 University of Denver master's degree and offers free college education to 90,000 of the company's . In 2018, Disney launched Disney Aspire, a 100 percent tuition-paid education plan available to all of the companys 82,000 hourly workers and cast members based in the U.S. Disneys commitment also includes grossing-up participating employees wages to account for taxes withheld for education benefits in excess of $5,250 annually. When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type. It is incredible to see so many cast members, including myself and my father, going after their dreams and achieving them, Pragano says. The Disney Aspire program covers 100 percent of tuition, fees and books at network schools for full-time and part-time hourly Disneyland cast members, Disney-speak for employees. Convenience for employees was top of mind, and the program offers many online courses of study. And that's just the beginning! By submitting this form, you are granting Disney Parks Blog permission to email you. Disney Aspire is the most comprehensive education investment program of its kind, offering more than 300 degrees and programs at 13 educational institutions nationwide in concert with Guild Education. ! For more information on our data collection and use practices, please read our Privacy Policy. 2.0mi. The Disney College Program is a national internship program for U.S. residents, and includes locations at both the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and the Disneyland Resort in California. There are more than 29,500 hourly employees eligible to participate in Disney Aspire in the state of California, thousands of whom are already enrolled. UCF will be the first school within the Disney Aspire network to offer a bachelors degree in entertainment management, and among the first to offer a masters degree in hospitality and tourism management, which is available online. Disney . As an entertainment cast member at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park, Kent, 23, also had a big dream of his own outside of work - earning a bachelor's degree. BURBANK, Calif., July 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Disney Aspire, The Walt Disney Company's education investment and career development program that offers 100% tuition paid upfront for hourly . The program covers all costs up front, including tuition books and fees, and provides participants with individual coaching and support from application through graduation to ensure they stick with their program. Eligible hourly employees and cast members have the opportunity to pursue their education goals and put their career dreams within reach. The training helped her transition from a merchandise hostess at Disney Springs to a Global HR operations associate with the corporate team. The work/school balance really depends on where you are working and the school schedule you decide to take. This is a huge perk, especially when student loan debt in America was calculated to be 1.7 trillion at the end of 2020. This program allows you to gain on-the-job experience with a world-renowned company, providing uniquely Disney learning experiences, all while preparing for your future, building transferable skills, including networking, problem solving . She taught me that we all have bad days but the key lies in choosing with what lens we will see our failures, Del Carpio says. Take it from me. Personalized support from Guild specialists throughout your journey. JavaScript is disabled. More than 13,000 employees are currently enrolled and 2,600 have already graduated. from 8 AM - 9 PM ET. Brady MacDonald is a theme park reporter for the Orange County Register and the Southern California News Group. But with the encouragement of my professors, I did it. We are committed to providing our employees every opportunity to realize their hopes and dreams at the workplace and beyond, saidJayne Parker, senior executive vice president and Chief HR Officer, The Walt Disney Company. Follow the conversation at #DisneyAspire. The entry-level job is part of Disneys earlycareer rotational program. Disney's Aspire program takes another approach. And now the 100% tuition-paid education plan offers even more choices to achieving these goals by welcomingPurdue UniversityGlobal andSouthern New Hampshire Universityto its network of schools. Disney Aspire is the most comprehensive education investment program of its kind, offering more than 300 degrees and programs at 13 educational institutions nationwide in concert with Guild Education. This announcement follows the introduction of Disney Aspire's first in-network HBCU, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and first culinary-dedicated institution, Johnson & Wales University, earlier this year. She always reminded me of my value and encouraged me to never give up, no matter how hard the road might get.. Purdue Global, part of thePurdue Universitysystem, delivers personalized online education tailored to the unique needs of working adults. 8 Arizona vs. No. Eagleridge Enrichment Program. Since the program began in 2018, thousands of Disney cast members have enrolled in Aspire network schools that include online programs at the University of Arizonaand University of Central Florida. Although just having access to a free degree program doesnt guarantee success. The program offers 100 . Eligible employees and Cast Members can now pursue a degree in Cloud Computing, Digital Photography, Legal Studies and Higher Education Administration, among others. After I finish my bachelors degree in accounting, I plan on earning a masters degree. Those with a bachelors degree earn an average of 65 percent more than those who only complete high school, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Disney employees must meet in-state residency requirements and can choose from 34 of the undergraduate and master's degree programs - 10 of which are fully . But employees, or "partners" as they are called, at other Starbucks-owned companies, like the juice brand Evolution Fresh, Siren Retail Corporation, and Starbucks Manufacturing, may also be eligible for Starbucks tuition benefits. New DVC Promo Video For The Villas at Disneyland Hotel, Sneak Peek at Team Green Post-show in Tron Lightcycle / Run, The Best Kid-Friendly Attractions at Islands of Adventure, MLS 2023 season thread (Match day 2 this weekend). Joined Sep 4, 2012. Allowing front-line workers like myself to grow professionally and academically was something that I could not pass up, she says. Since launching the program in August, approximately 40 percent of Disney's 85,000 employees, equaling about 34,000 people, have signed up for the Disney Aspire program.