Gaming – Education| Melco announces new local management development program

Melco Crown yesterday announced a new Local Management Development – Foundation Acceleration Program (“Foundation Acceleration Program”) for its local employees. According to a press release, the program “aims to enhance preparedness for management responsibilities through a structured program, including executive education, exposure to various business areas, leadership development and insight, and international exposure. “
“The new Foundation Acceleration Program is planned and structured to develop our current local management employees’ understanding of business operations, as well as their business perspective beyond the functional view. I believe these are essential qualities for future management and executives to possess in order to lead the Company through growth and challenges, and to be ready for the development of Macau into being the world center for tourism and leisure,” said Lawrence Ho, co-chairman and CEO of Melco Crown Entertainment Limited.
The gaming operator stressed that it has been investing in the promotion of the local workforce. “In 2008, the Company had 34 percent local management staff.  Mr Lawrence Ho initiated the ‘50/2010 Action’, a goal to have 50 percent local management staff by the year 2010. Today, that figure is at 71 percent,” it stated.
Melco Crown also stated that its in-house Learning Academy, established in 2009, offers “over 200 courses every year to its employees” and that a total of 47,907 local participants attended those courses.
The gaming operator also launched the in-house high school diploma program “Back to School.” The first graduation ceremony for students of the program was held in July 2014, when three Melco Crown Entertainment employees – Cheang Ka Wa, age 30, Chong Sok I, age 47, So Chun Kit, age 51 – were awarded their high school diplomas after attending three-hour classes five days a week for four years.