Sands China’s Stage Technology and Event Production Course
Celebrates First Cohort of Graduates

Three-year programme supports Macao’s development as ‘City of Performing Arts’

（Macao, Aug. 26, 2025）– The first cohort of 12 students recently graduated from Sands China’s Stage Technology and Event Production Course and 26 students in Form 4 and 5 are currently enrolled across two more cohorts. The successful first-in-town course was announced in November 2021 as part of Sands China’s efforts to help establish Macao as a City of Performing Arts through the development of local talent. 

Some graduates have already been recruited by Sands China, either as full-time staff or trainees, contributing to backstage support for large-scale events. Others are set to further their studies in subjects such as media arts and design at universities in Macao, mainland China, South Korea, and Japan.

Paulo Cheong, senior vice president of human resources for Sands China Ltd., said: “Talent is a cornerstone of Macao’s transformation as a City of Performing Arts. With our top-tier performance equipment and professional team, we consider it a significant responsibility and privilege for Sands China to utilise our resources to give hand-on experiences to the next generation who are interested in performing arts, as we help build a talent pool for Macao’s entertainment industry. 

“Our gratitude goes to Escola Luso-Chinesa Técnico-Profissional for collaborating with our Sands Entertainment Academy to give these local students an opportunity to go from having no experience to becoming capable professionals in stage technology and event production over the course of three years. By initiating the Stage Technology and Event Production Course, we aim to offer vocational skills training for local secondary students. We hope that nurturing technical talent while passing on practical knowledge to support cultural creativity will lead to the sustainable development of Macao’s entertainment industry.”

One of the new graduates, Hou Che, is now working in Sands China’s entertainment department, focusing on the setup and maintenance of lighting and sound equipment. He said: “I have been equipped with professional knowledge in entertainment in this course, which enabled me to apply my skills in a practical way by organising a small-scale event at St. Mark’s Square at The Venetian Macao. I would like to make the most of what I have learnt from the entertainment department, as I look forward to exploring new opportunities in this field.” 

Hou and the rest of his cohort recently completed a nine-month internship with Sands China that combines classroom learning with hands-on experience in the company’s entertainment department – a massive operation that comprises six multifunctional entertainment venues that have welcomed over 5.3 million audience members to more than 850 top-tier performances from around the world since 2007.

The curriculum covered areas such as creative arts, lighting design, audio production, stage design, time management, workplace safety, customer engagement, and teamwork. Training took place at venues including The Venetian Arena, The Londoner Arena, and Cotai Expo.

Aligning with the Macao government’s ‘1+4’ strategy for economic diversification, the three-year Stage Technology and Event Production Course is the first of its kind in Macao. It aims to nurture local talent in stage technology and event production at the senior secondary school level, while further supporting the development of Macao’s performing arts sector. Escola Luso-Chinesa Técnico-Profissional co-organised the course under the Macao Education and Youth Bureau (DSEDJ) and Sands China, creating a partnership between school and corporation as they co-designed curriculum and assessments with the help of the Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Center (CPTTM).

Aside from classroom lessons, the course gives students a variety of experiences: a tour of teamLab SuperNature Macao at The Venetian® Macao; stage production workshop at The Parisian Theatre; behind-the-scenes tour of Sands China’s entertainment operation; mini fashion show; and nine-month internship with Sands China. Outstanding performers may receive job offers from Sands China – as Hou did – upon completion of the course.

Chan Seng Chao, principal of Escola Luso-Chinesa Técnico-Profissional, said: “We would like to thank Sands China for their support over the past three years – both to our school and the course – as they offered internship opportunities for our Form 6 students and arranged visits and professional workshops for our Form 4 and 5 students. For me, this course not only helps students pursue their academics, but also explore career paths. This parallel approach allows students to master professional skills that will advance their further studies; for those who choose to work after graduation, the knowledge and experiences gained from a three-year internship would also help them stand out among others.”

The Sands Entertainment Academy nurtures both on-stage and backstage talent in the entertainment industry to elevate professional standards, while also providing a platform for performers and artists to showcase their talent. It is one of eight specialised sub-academies under the Sands China Academy, a comprehensive talent development platform for Sands China team members and local industry professionals. Besides its various training programmes for team members, the academy collaborates with local and international tertiary educational institutions to promote the development of professionals in several industries in Macao.

In addition to the Stage Technology and Event Production Course, Sands China recently collaborated with the Labour Affairs Bureau to launch a talent development programme for event management on a ‘first hire, then train’ basis. The programme includes an entertainment track and offers local youth 15 months of both theoretical and on-the-job training. 

Rooted in Macao for over 20 years, Sands China is the city’s first and largest integrated tourism and leisure enterprise and sees the nurturing of local talent as an essential aspect of its corporate social responsibility.