Sands China Showcases Talent Development Achievements at Sharing Session and Launches Integrated Resort Leader Development Programme
（Macao, March 11, 2025）– Sands China Ltd. held the Sands China Academy Achievements and Roadmap Presentation Tuesday at The Londoner® Macao, showcasing 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.
The event also featured the launch ceremony for the Sands China Integrated Resort Leader Development Programme, underscoring the company’s commitment to strengthening the development of management talent in the integrated tourism and leisure industry.
Established in 2015, the Sands China Academy is a comprehensive talent development platform dedicated to nurturing team members, local industry professionals, and young people. The academy is committed to providing team members with diversified training programmes and opportunities for both vertical and horizontal career development. Additionally, the academy actively collaborates with the Macao SAR government, local and international higher education institutions, and educational organisations. Together they explore innovative ways to enhance tourism services through technology and establish industry standards, such as the Macao Occupational Skills Recognition System (MORS). The academy also serves as a hub for talent cultivation and exchange opportunities, not only for Macao’s industry professionals but also for experts across the Greater Bay Area. By fostering the growth of skilled professionals across various sectors in Macao, the academy plays a pivotal role in propelling the development of Macao into a world centre of tourism and leisure and enhancing the development of economic diversification.
Executive Vice Chairman of Sands China Ltd. Dr. Wilfred Wong said: “Talent are like seeds with unlimited potential. Sands China has been devoted to cultivating talent for over two decades, and we are glad to witness and celebrate the graduation of trainees from our various training programmes, as we have invested deeply in local talent development and fully support the Macao SAR government’s policy of ‘Building Macao through Talent Training.’ We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to various government departments, higher education institutions, secondary schools, chambers of commerce, and industry associations for their steadfast support and collaboration in nurturing local talent over the years – aiming to promote the sustainable development of the integrated tourism and leisure industry.”
Guests of honour at the event were: 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 of the Macao SAR Government; Lei Lai Keng, acting deputy director of the Labour Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government; Frederico Ma Chi Ngai, president of the Board of Directors of the Macao Chamber of Commerce; Lee Chong Cheng, president of the Board of Directors of the Macao Federation of Trade Unions; Victoria Alexa Kuan Chan, director-general of the Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Center; Diamantina Luíza do Rosário Sá Coimbra, vice rector of the Macao University of Tourism; Mok Sao In, acting secretary-general of the Macao Polytechnic University; Doris Leong, head of the Training and Quality Management Department of the Macao Government Tourism Office; Dr. Wong; Grant Chum, chief executive officer and executive director of Sands China Ltd., and other representatives from Sands China’s management.
The Sands China Academy has consistently been committed to launching innovative and elite youth development programmes, injecting fresh talent into the industry. These programmes have covered food and beverage, hotel operations, business analysis, and other areas, nurturing talent across various fields in a comprehensive manner. They have attracted more than 3,600 participants, with over 3,300 having successfully graduated. The academy currently comprises eight sub-academies – MICE, hospitality, integrated resort management, entertainment, facilities, responsible gaming, procurement, and retail.
During the event, the company also held a launch ceremony for the Sands China Integrated Resort Leader Development Programme, aimed at nurturing the management and leadership skills of future leaders for local integrated resorts. The programme is set to collaborate with world-renowned Cornell University and talent assessment service provider SHL to design a professional curriculum to help participants explore the management culture and models of the world’s leading enterprises and enhance their management capabilities.
Grant Chum, chief executive officer and executive director of Sands China Ltd., said: “The development of the tourism industry requires the participation of diverse professionals, as well as visionary management talent to shape its future. We are therefore delighted to inaugurate the Sands China Integrated Resort Leader Development Programme. It aims to enhance the forward-thinking and strategic decision-making skills of management, enable them to stay abreast of global industry trends, and empower them to become leaders in the integrated tourism and leisure industry. Together, we can ensure that Macao, as a world centre of tourism and leisure, continues to shine brightly and captivate the world on the international stage.”
The launch ceremony was followed by the inaugural event of the programme, a seminar focused on leadership development trends and directions – with the aim of cultivating integrated resort management talent who possess both a global perspective and practical local experience, thus contributing to the sustainable development of the industry.
From its first property in 2004 until the end of last year, Sands China has provided team members with more than 23,300 vertical promotions, 9,000 horizontal career moves, and more than 222 million on-the-job training hours. On average, each Sands China team member receives 81.6 hours of training, higher than the standard of 21 hours calculated by the Association for Talent Development (ATD).
Sands China’s nurturing of team members has resulted in a substantial growth in the ratio of Macao locals in management positions, with an increase from 20 percent of the total management in 2004 to 90 percent at present.
