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Creating a culture of recognition, IFTM launches 19th edition of the ‘MORS Gold Pin Competition’

中文摘要 / Summary in Chinese

Macao Occupational Skills Recognition (MORS) Gold Pin Competition 2022 was successfully held on 7th December 2022. In order to recognise outstanding performances in every occupational category carried out by the MORS professionals, IFTM, the Awarding Body, has been organising the annual ‘Gold Pin Competition’ since 2002. This year is in its 19th edition, attracting 278 participants from 29 organisations. Contestants were shortlisted under the categories of Western Chef, Bartender, Chinese Chef – Cantonese Cuisine, Chinese Chef – Dim Sum, Concierge and Bell Attendant, Front Desk Agent/Customer Relations Officer, Security Officer for Tourism and Gaming Industry, Room Attendant, Waiter/Waitress (Chinese Restaurant) and Waiter/Waitress (Western Restaurant) for the finals at IFTM and The Londoner Macao Integrated Resort on 26th and 30th November respectively. Despite receiving a MORS Gold Pin and certificates, winners also received a cash award of MOP8,000, and a scholarship worth MOP2,000 for training courses at IFTM’s School of Continuing Education.

 

The Gold Pin Competition consisted of 3 rounds. In the opening rounds, contestants were tested on their knowledge of the MORS training manuals in both written format and practical assessments. The third round was made available to those with the highest scores from the second round. The best two winners in each category will be selected by a team of panels formed with more than 40 professionals, experts and instructors.

 

‘We are always happy to take up roles in helping to lift the service standard and the quality of the workmanship in Macao, either as venue sponsor or by having our team members participate in the competition,’ Mr. Sean Mccreery, Senior Vice President of Resort Operations of Sands China Ltd., the venue sponsor of the competition, remarked. He also added that it is great for the MORS Gold Pin Scheme acting as a vehicle to encourage young people to join the hospitality industry and offer opportunities for them to learn new skills in specific fields.

 

Ms. Lana Chung, one of the jurors in the category of Front Desk Agent, was impressed by the outstanding performances of all contestants. ‘Aside from the knowledge in the field and practical techniques required, I believe that with the on-going trend in the tourism industry, participants may need to focus more on their services offered to the customers so as to ensure and improve customer satisfaction with great customer experience,’ she said.

 

Being one of the jurors in the category of Waiter/Waitress (Chinese Restaurant Service), Mr. Kenneth Lai, Director of Food and Beverage in Grand Lisboa Palace, expressed that one of the key considerations that he would like to refer to is the communication that contestants have towards judges and the jurors. ‘It is all about the bonding between people, regardless of the field that you are in, either catering or the tourism sector,’ he added.

 

One of the winners in the category of Front Desk Agent/Customer Relations Officer, Ms. Lam from The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel, sees the competition as an opportunity to understand the capability of oneself. ‘Even though the techniques and knowledge upon the manuals are nothing new to me, it is still challenging to look into the way I perform at work and to work on rooms for improvements,’ she said. Ms. Lam expressed her gratitude towards the good results obtained and yet she will take this recognition as her motivation to strive for her bright future.

 

Under the category of Waiter/Waitress (Western Restaurant Service), Mr. Chan from Hotel Morpheus felt grateful for the competition in providing a platform for contestants to showcase their efforts as well as to improve their skills. ‘I would like to take the opportunity to express my thankfulness towards my company for providing training prior to the competition, so that I can bring out the best in me. Thanks to the MORS Gold Pin, it helps me to practice good customer service, thus, allowing me to contribute in the success of catering services in the “Creative City of Gastronomy”,’ Mr. Chan commented.

 

Ms. Wong from MGM Cotai, who has won in the category of Concierge and Bell Attendant, said the most challenging part throughout the competition was that there were some hidden questions which required her resourceful ability to handle the unexpected. ‘With the experience of participating in Shenhe Cup 2022, it does not only allow me to give full play to my abilities, but also further upgrade my skills and standard of service,’ she concluded.

 

Another winner in the category of Room Attendant, Mr. Tam from MGM Macau, said joining the Gold Pin competition is one of his goals. He was honoured to have received the MORS Gold Pin and would like to give the credit to his company for the endless support from the preparation stage to the competition. ‘Time management is never easy. During my practices, I used to run over time in the sessions which worries me a lot. Yet, with more effort put into practices and review every time, it brought me to the stage today,’ he claimed.

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