“Macao Occupational skills Recognition System”(MORS) Gold Pin Competition

The MORS Gold Pin Competition final round contests and the Award Presentation Ceremony are held today in the Venetian Macao Exhibition Hall by the Institute For Tourism Studies (IFT). The Ceremony was hosted by Dr. Fanny Vong, President of IFT, with Ms. Noémia Lameiras, Deputy Director of Labour Affairs Bureau; Mr. Lei Pou Loi, President of Macao Hotelier Association and Mr. Johnson Chan, President of Macao Hotels Association as Award presenting guests. The competitions of the occupation this year include: “Assistant Cook (Western Kitchen)”, “Bartender”, “Waiter / Waitress (Chinese Restaurant Service)” and “Waiter / Waitress (Western Restaurant Service)”. They adapts a process of elimination, with 3 rounds of contests for each competition. The first 2 rounds of contests were held between 8 – 23 Oct, in forms of written examination and skill evaluation according to the fundamental knowledge covered in the MORS training manuals. Participants without MORS certificate will need to go through the first round. In order to be admitted to the second round, the contestants must reach a minimum score of 75%, and compete with those who possess the certificate. Five contestants with the highest scores in the second round from each competition will be invited to join the final and given the certificates. In the four final round contests held today, 20 contestants will aim at the 2 winning positions in each competition. Juries formed by 12 respectful persons from the industry will observe closely and justify the contestants for the final winners, who will receive a MORS Gold Pin, MOP6,000.00 cash award and a scholarship of MOP2,000.00 for PACES training courses. MORS is a joint effort of the Tourism Industry of Macao and IFT with the main objective to upgrade human resources in the Macao tourism industry through the introduction of a certification scheme for a number of professions. It was launched in 2001 with the support of the European Union. At this moment, skills standards are introduced for the following occupations: - Assistant Cook (Western Kitchen)
- Bartender
- Concierge and Bell Attendant
- Cook in Chinese Cuisine (Elementary)
- Cook in Chinese Cuisine (Intermediate)
- Cook in Chinese Dim Sum (Elementary)
- Cook in Chinese Dim Sum (Intermediate)
- Customer Relations Officer
- Front Desk Agent
- Room Attendant
- Security Officer for Tourism and Gaming Industry
- Travel Consultant
- Waiter / Waitress (Chinese Restaurant Service) - Waiter / Waitress (Western Restaurant Service) To reward and demonstrate outstanding MORS recognised professionals, IFT has been organsing the Gold Pin Competition since 2002. Precipitants can be Entry-level Professionals sent by each training centre or they can be entering individually. There are 15 organisations, 80 participants taking part in the competitions this year. Gold Pin Competition final round contests examine contestants on their practical skills and details are as follows: Assistant Cook (Western Kitchen) Gold Pin Competition
Contestants have to bring in their own ingredients to create a menu consisting of a starter, a main course and a dessert; the time frame for preparations will be two hours. Juries will assess them on technical skills, creativity, organisational skills, hygiene, taste, presentation and consistency. Bartender Gold Pin Competition
Contestants have to choose at least one ingredient from the provided list andbring in their rest own ingredients and glassware for creating a cocktail of two portions. Juries will assess them on technical skills, creativity, presentation, flavour and consistency of the drink. Waiter / Waitress (Chinese Restaurant Service)
Contestants will need to divide a special food dish on trolley, and then serve to 3 guests; assessment will be based on their technical skills, speed and service quality. Waiter / Waitress (Western Restaurant Service)
Contestants will need to open, decant and serve a bottle of wine; assessment will be based on their technical skills, speed and service quality. IFT is a public institution of higher education that offers tourism, hospitality, heritage and events management degree programmes, as well as professional training courses. The main objective of MORS is to upgrade human resources in the Macao tourism industry through the introduction of a certification scheme for a number of professions, to the general public, so as to benefit Macao in a more competitive future.