Guests of honour attend the Sands China Academy Achievements and Roadmap Presentation Tuesday at The Londoner Macao, witnessing the company’s outstanding successes in nurturing young talent over the past year through students’ sharing, videos, and recognising the academy’s graduates with certificates of completion and awards for exceptional performance.
Strengthening Macau’s Talent Development
Established in 2015, the Sands China Academy serves as a comprehensive platform dedicated to nurturing professionals within the local tourism sector.
It provides diversified training programmes for team members, local industry professionals, and students, facilitating both vertical and horizontal career growth.
The academy collaborates closely with the Macao SAR government, educational institutions, and industry partners to enhance service quality through technology and standardized training, such as the Macao Occupational Skills Recognition System (MORS).
A key role of the academy is to foster talent exchange within the Greater Bay Area, strengthening Macau’s position as a world centre of tourism and leisure while supporting economic diversification.
Through its training initiatives, Sands China has equipped thousands of professionals with the skills necessary for sustainable industry growth.
Acting Deputy Director of the Labour Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government Lei Lai Keng (seventh from left), Deputy Director of the Education and Youth Development Bureau of the Macao SAR Government Wong Ka Ki (seventh from right), and representatives from Sands China’s management get together with the trainees from Sands China’s various training programmes Tuesday at the Sands China Academy Achievements and Roadmap Presentation at The Londoner Macao.
Commitment to Local Talent
Sands China Ltd. has long been committed to talent development. Dr. Wilfred Wong, Executive Vice Chairman, emphasized the company’s dedication, stating: “Talent are like seeds with unlimited potential.
Sands China has been devoted to cultivating talent for over two decades, investing deeply in local talent development and fully supporting the Macao SAR government’s policy of ‘Building Macao through Talent Training.’”
He also expressed gratitude to government bodies, academic institutions, and business associations for their continuous support in talent cultivation.
The event welcomed notable guests, including Sun Yaohua, Director of the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Wong Ka Ki, Deputy Director of the Education and Youth Development Bureau, and Frederico Ma Chi Ngai, President of the Macao Chamber of Commerce, among other esteemed representatives from academia and industry.
Sands China management and representatives from government departments, higher education institutions, secondary schools, chambers of commerce, and industry associations gather at The Londoner Macao Tuesday for the Sands China Academy Achievements and Roadmap Presentation and the launch ceremony for the Sands China Integrated Resort Leader Development Programme, showcasing their long-term commitment to the nurturing of professional talent for Macao.
Launching the Integrated Resort Leader Development Programme
A major highlight of the event was the launch of the Sands China Integrated Resort Leader Development Programme, aimed at cultivating future leaders within Macau’s integrated resort sector.
In collaboration with Cornell University and talent assessment firm SHL, the programme offers a curriculum designed to develop management capabilities, expose participants to global best practices, and enhance strategic decision-making skills.
Grant Chum, CEO and Executive Director of Sands China Ltd., remarked: “The development of the tourism industry requires both skilled professionals and visionary leadership. This programme will empower future leaders with forward-thinking strategies and global insights, ensuring Macau remains a world-renowned tourism and leisure hub.”
The programme’s inaugural event featured a seminar on leadership development trends, focusing on equipping professionals with the skills to navigate the evolving industry landscape.
Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Sands China Ltd. Grant Chum (centre) and participants from the Sands China Integrated Resort Leader Development Programme gather at the programme’s launch ceremony Tuesday at the Londoner Macao.
A Track Record of Investment in Talent
Sands China has demonstrated long-term investment in professional growth, providing over 23,300 vertical promotions, 9,000 horizontal career moves, and 222 million hours of training since 2004.
On average, each team member receives 81.6 hours of training, exceeding the 21-hour industry benchmark set by the Association for Talent Development (ATD).
As a result of these efforts, the proportion of Macau locals in Sands China’s management positions has increased from 20% in 2004 to 90% today, reinforcing the company’s commitment to fostering homegrown leadership and ensuring sustainable industry growth.
