Sands China presents talent development showcase

Sands China Ltd. is expanding its push to develop local talent as part of broader efforts to support Macau’s economic diversification, highlighting training programs, artificial intelligence initiatives, and academic partnerships at a two-day event at The Londoner Macao.

Held June 17–18, the showcase highlights the company’s training ecosystem under the Sands China Academy and introduces new initiatives aimed at strengthening leadership, cross-sector collaboration, and AI capabilities, company officials said.

The program also aligns with the Macau SAR government’s “Building Macau through Talent Training” policy.

“Talent is the cornerstone of driving both our corporate growth and Macau’s diversified development,” said Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of Sands China, in his opening remarks.

He said the company has spent more than two decades building a “comprehensive talent cultivation ecosystem” that combines technical skills with adaptability and innovation. Since 2015, Sands China has launched 29 development programs across more than 20 departments.

Wong framed the effort within Macau’s broader economic trajectory. Referring to the city’s low unemployment, he said residents should “shoulder the responsibility of driving society forward,” adding that talent development would remain central as Macau positions itself as a global tourism and leisure hub.

This year, the company introduced four new initiatives targeting hotel management, premium service, culinary arts, and transportation. In these programs, participants receive overseas training opportunities, including placements in France and Singapore, alongside professional certification support in areas such as MICE, data analytics, and project management.

In parallel, Sands China has expanded collaboration with universities, including a new “Leadership Dialogue” program linking managers with local tertiary institutions.

Push for skills and mindset shift

In his keynote address, Wong urged employees to take a more proactive approach to career development, stressing that training alone is insufficient without ambition and adaptability.

“If you don’t dare to strive while working at Sands, you have no hope,” he said, adding that employees must embrace change and commit to lifelong learning. He identified AI as a critical capability, noting that even senior leadership is working to strengthen its knowledge of emerging technologies.

Wong also linked individual development to broader economic goals, pointing to the company’s ongoing shift toward non-gaming operations. He said less than a third of Sands China’s workforce is now tied to gaming, reflecting commitments under Macau’s current concession framework to invest in tourism, conventions, and other sectors.

The company has also expanded its “AI Up-Skilling Programme” and introduced AI-focused training in partnership with institutions such as Cornell University. More than 100 managers have already participated in related workshops, with further expansion planned, according to Sands China.

Building a local talent pipeline

Sands China’s approach combines structured training with incentives for self-directed learning. The company has more than 100 training managers and 500 trainers coordinating development across departments, while employees are offered up to MOP12,000 annually in study allowances and paid leave.

To reinforce this, a digital rewards platform launched in April has attracted more than 10,000 participants, with average daily engagement of around 2,000 employees. The company also provides access to LinkedIn Learning, where staff have completed more than 28,000 courses totaling over 33,000 hours.

In addition, the showcase features a “Growth Hub” education fair with 20 institutions from Macau and the Greater Bay Area, along with a symposium on AI and leadership co-hosted with Macao Polytechnic University.