Macau casino concessionaire Sands China Ltd says the first cohort of 12 students has recently graduated from its Stage Technology and Event Production course. The three-year programme aims to support Macau’s development as a ‘City of Performing Arts’, via the development of local talent, said the firm in a recent press release.
According to the company, an additional 26 students have been enrolled for the course, divided into two fresh cohorts.
The update noted that some graduates from the initial group “have already been recruited by Sands China,” either as full-time staff or as 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 Macau, mainland China, South Korea, and Japan,” it added.
The announcement cited Paulo Cheong, senior vice president of human resources for Sands China, as saying: “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 Macau’s entertainment industry.”
“By initiating the Stage Technology and Event Production course, we aim to offer vocational skills training for local secondary students,” stated Mr Cheong.
He added: “We hope that nurturing technical talent while passing on practical knowledge to support cultural creativity will lead to the sustainable development of Macau’s entertainment industry.”
The programme was developed as a partnership between Sands Entertainment Academy and Escola Luso-Chinesa Técnico-Profissional
The first batch of graduates recently completed a nine-month internship with Sands China, which combined classroom learning with hands-on experience in the company’s entertainment department.
The programme 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.
Chan Seng Chao, principal of Escola Luso-Chinesa Técnico-Profissional, said in prepared remarks: “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.”
