Sands China Provides Career Planning for Students in Special- or
Inclusive-Education Programmes Through Career Exploration Day

22 students take part in internships across nine departments

（Macao, Sept. 2, 2025）– 22 senior secondary students in special education or inclusive education programmes recently participated in a three- to four-week internship programme with Sands China Ltd. The programme, which aimed at helping them explore their career paths, culminated on Aug. 6 with the Diverse Development Lab: Interview Preparation & Career Exploration Day at The Venetian® Macao.

The Aug. 6 event featured interview workshops, career exploration sessions, interactive activities and a certificate presentation, which was attended by parents, teachers and guests. 

The internship’s 22 students came from 11 local schools. Ten of the interns had signed up via the 2025 Workplace Experience Pilot Scheme co-organised by the Labour Affairs Bureau and the Education and Youth Development Bureau, while the other 12 joined through the Bureau’s 2025 Work Experience Programme. Their internships spanned nine Sands China departments, in areas such as food and beverage, culinary services, floral operations, recreation, and human resources.

Paulo Cheong, senior vice president of human resources for Sands China Ltd. said: “Young people are our future. Through new initiatives like our Diverse Development Lab, Sands China fully supports the Macao SAR government’s policy to promote career planning among students. This initiative aims to help young people gain early exposure to workplaces, discover their interests and strengths, and get inspired for their academic and career planning. It also helps carry out our corporate social responsibility by nurturing talent with special learning needs and fostering a culture of inclusion and diversity within our company. Our sincere thanks go to our partners – the Labour Affairs Bureau, the Education and Youth Development Bureau, and the participating schools – for their continued trust in Sands China to offer platforms like these for youth development, contributing to the talent development of Macao.”

Interview Preparation & Career Exploration Day featured six themed booths offering activities and guidance on personality and career exploration, interview attire and etiquette, practical interview guidelines, job simulations, and creative expression. One of the booths showcased a training initiative jointly run by the Labour Affairs Bureau and Macau Special Olympics. Students also engaged in hands-on activities with Sands China team members who themselves are graduates of inclusive or special education programmes; they created floral bouquets and towel animals together to experience these job roles first-hand. An information zone provided insights into local education programmes aligned with Macao’s key industries under the city’s “1+4” strategy for appropriate economic diversification. Sands China currently employs 72 people with disabilities, including 25 full-time and 47 part-time team members. Nearly half of them have been with the company for more than five years, demonstrating the company’s long-term commitment to creating an inclusive workplace.

Guests in attendance included Chan Tze Wai, deputy director of the Labour Affairs Bureau; Lei Lai Keng, head of the employment department of the Labour Affairs Bureau; Chow Pui Leng, head of the Centre of Psycho-pedagogical Support and Special Education of the Education and Youth Development Bureau; Ryan Tam, head of vocational rehabilitation services at Macau Special Olympics; representatives from various local secondary schools; and Cheong from Sands China.

Sands China introduced its Diverse Development Lab series in 2025 to help Macao’s secondary students explore academic and career paths. Through activities such as self-assessment, interview coaching, site visits and internships, the programme gives students a practical understanding of business operations and the service industry. It aims to equip them with the mindset and tools needed to enter the workplace with confidence.