Home » Programs » West Orange Foundation » West Orange Program for Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs
Students are selected from the Chamber Member Public and Private High Schools
The following criteria is required of applicants for WOPTE:
WOPTE is a program of the West Orange Foundation and facilitated by the West Orange Chamber of Commerce. It is sponsored by Walmart, Bright Future Electric and June Engineering Consultants. There is no tuition or other associated expense required of any participant. Additional expenses are donated by various businesses and business leaders. These groups are to be applauded for their generosity in making the vision of WOPTE a reality.
The primary mission of WOPTE is to raise the awareness of our youth regarding the West Orange County business community and all it has to offer. With increased awareness of the area, it is hoped that students will be better informed regarding career opportunities, right here in West Orange County. WOPTE is a six month program for select 11th grade students from Chamber member high schools.
Several of the sessions are field-trip like activities that expose the students to the history and physical environment of West Orange County. In two of the sessions, the Chamber partners with Junior Achievement of Central Florida to present two JA programs. The JA “Be Entrepreneurial” program allows students to develop a business and a business plan providing them with the skills to be tomorrow’s entrepreneur. The facilitator for this program is Deb Linden, Owner of the The Vineyard, Wine Bar and Healthy Bistro.
In addition, the students participate in the JA “Job Shadow” programs in which the students visit two large employers in West Orange County to understand the many employment opportunities available; Manheim Orlando – one of the largest auto auctions in the country and Health Central, a part of the Orlando Health system.
This program requires a serious commitment of time and energy. In order to graduate with the class, participants must not miss not more than one (1) session. (Camp Wewa team building day is mandatory)
At the conclusion of the program, students and their parents will participate in a graduation ceremony to recognize their efforts in completing the program. The graduation ceremony is held in conjunction with the WOCC Education Awards Ceremony that is typically in May of each year.