Enrolment Now Open for 10th Intake of Sands Procurement Academy – Sept. 10 Application Deadline

Popular training programme free for local SME suppliers

(Macao, September 2, 2021) – Enrolment is now open for local SME suppliers to join the upcoming 10th intake of the popular Sands Procurement Academy. The deadline for enrolment is Sept. 10, with courses taking place at The Venetian^® Macao's Adelson Advanced Education Centre every Wednesday between Sept. 29 and Oct. 27, 2:30-5:30 p.m.

By offering the academy's classes free of charge, Sands China Ltd. aims to promote the development of local SME suppliers by sharing valuable business knowledge and skills, putting them in a better position to take advantage of procurement opportunities in Macao's integrated resort industry.

The academy's goal is to help local SMEs gain experience and capacity for working with large-scale international corporations. It aims to create procurement opportunities with four types of local suppliers: small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), micro-enterprises, Macao young entrepreneurs, and "Made-in-Macao" enterprises.

The free training programme launched in 2017, and is co-organised with the Macao Chamber of Commerce and the Macau Productivity and Technology Centre (CPTTM). It is part of Sands China's continued commitment to groom more local SMEs to meet international standards through practical training. Besides enrolling in the academy, local SMEs can enjoy diverse opportunities to grow their business and expand their horizons through participation in Sands China events such as the Sands Shopping Carnival, Sands China Local Supplier Open Day, invitational matching sessions, back-of-house roadshows, and others.

The Sands Procurement Academy is a first-of-its-kind industry training and focuses on delivering practical knowledge to participating SMEs. Programme graduates consistently give positive feedback on the academy's impact on their businesses.

Nearly 300 suppliers have enrolled in the programme to date, and over 280 have graduated. Graduates receive a completion certificate and are given preferential procurement opportunities with Sands China under otherwise equal circumstances.

Local SME suppliers who join the academy learn through tailor-made practical training modules that are presented by lecturers with diverse areas of expertise. Modules cover six topics: logistics management, quality assurance, procurement contract basics, procurement process and system overview, supplier code of conduct, and Macao labour law fundamentals.

The maximum enrolment capacity for the upcoming intake is 50. Lots will be drawn if applications exceed capacity. Applicants not selected this round will be prioritised for enrolment in the academy's 11th intake.

Interested suppliers should contact Eva Wong at +853 8118 7866 or via email at eva.wong@sands.com.mo on or before Sept. 10, 2021.

The Sands Procurement Academy supports the third pillar of Sands China's F.I.T. programme, which offers Financial Support, Invitational Matching, and Training and Development. F.I.T. targets both existing and new local Sands China suppliers as part of Sands China's Local Small, Medium and Micro Suppliers Support Programme. It seeks to continually increase and strengthen procurement between Sands China and local SME suppliers by enhancing their capabilities.

Sands China's Local Small, Medium and Micro Suppliers Support Programme is in line with the Macao government's initiative to "buy local" and demonstrates Sands China's commitment to support local enterprises as part of the company's corporate social responsibility efforts. It is part of Sands China's supplier relationship management strategy, which guides the company's long-standing effort to support local suppliers, whom it views as its strategic partners.

Photo caption: The Sands Procurement Academy is accepting enrolment applications from now until Sept. 10 for its upcoming 10th cohort. The free-of-charge local SME training programme will hold its latest round of classes at The Venetian Macao's Adelson Advanced Education Centre in September and October.