Macau casino concessionaire Sands China Ltd has launched new training initiatives during a two-day showcase event in Macau, aimed at supporting local workforce development.
The event, held in mid-June, featured information on the company’s talent-development programmes, leadership initiatives, industry-academia partnerships and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in workforce training.
In remarks at the opening ceremony, Sands China executive vice chairman, Wilfred Wong Ying Wai, said talent development remained central to both the company’s growth and Macau’s economic diversification ambitions.
“We have ramped up our efforts to nurture talent by enhancing our team members’ creativity and learning capability across various areas,” Mr Wong stated.
“This includes facilitating new capabilities, applying AI skills, developing leadership, and collaborating across the industry and the academia sector – all aimed at empowering them to better contribute to the rapid growth of Macau’s tourism sector,” he added.
Sands China said it had launched 29 “elite development programmes” since 2015, covering more than 20 departments across its operations. The company said the programmes are designed to offer career pathways for local residents interested in joining the integrated resort sector.
The company has introduced four new elite development schemes this year. Three have already commenced: the “Sands China Hotel Talent Development Programme – Head Trainee”, the “Sands China Prestige Service Talent Development Programme”, and the “Sands China Western Culinary Elite Programme”.
A fourth initiative, the “Sands China Transportation Talent Development Programme – Lead Trainee”, is scheduled to begin later this year.
As part of efforts to strengthen links with educational institutions, Sands China said it had launched a new “Leadership Dialogue” programme this year. The initiative selected 19 management personnel to visit local universities and share industry knowledge and leadership experience with students.
During June’s event, the company also donated MOP1.5 million (US$185,837) in scholarships and bursaries to seven Macau tertiary institutions. Sands China said it has contributed more than MOP18.7 million to such programmes over the past 20 years, benefiting more than 2,100 students.
Separately, Sands China and Macao Polytechnic University co-hosted a symposium earlier this month focused on AI and leadership, bringing together academics and industry experts from cities across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area.
