The 2009 “Macao Occupational skills Recognition System” (MORS) Gold Pin Competition Award Presentation Ceremony were held today in the Venetian Macao Exhibition Hall by the Institute For Tourism Studies (IFT). Ms. Helena Fernandes, Deputy Director of Macau Government Tourist Office, Mr. Lei Pou Loi, President of Macao Hotelier Association and Mr. Philip Hung, Head of Vocational Training Department, Labour Affairs Bureau presented awards to the winners. This year, there are 8 sessions of competitions altogether, including “Assistant Cook (Western Kitchen)”, “Bartender”, “Chinese Cook – Cantonese Cuisine (Intermediate level)”, “Concierge and Bell Attendant”, “Front Desk Agent/Customer Relations Officer”, “Room Attendant”, “Waiter / Waitress (Chinese Restaurant Service)” and “Waiter / Waitress (Western Restaurant Service)”. The competition adapts a process of elimination, with 3 rounds of contests for each competition. The first 2 rounds of contests were held 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. Contestants with excellent performances in the second round from each competition will be invited to join the final and given the certificates. Contestants aim at the 2 winning positions in each competition. Juries formed by over 20 respectful executives from the industry will observe closely and assess the contestants for the final winners, who will receive a MORS Gold Pin, MOP6,000 cash award and a scholarship of MOP2,000 for PACES training courses. Launched in 2001, Macao Occupational skills Recognition System (MORS) is a joint effort of the Tourism Industry of Macao and IFT with the main objective to upgrade human resources in the industry through the introduction of a certification scheme for a number of professions. At this moment, skills standards are introduced for the following occupations: - Assistant Cook (Western Kitchen)
- Bartender
- Chinese Cook – Cantonese Cuisine (Elementary)
- Chinese Cook – Cantonese Cuisine (Intermediate)
- Chinese Cook – Cantonese Dim Sum (Elementary)
- Chinese Cook – Cantonese Dim Sum (Intermediate)
- Concierge and Bell Attendant
- 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 organising 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 23 organisations, 211 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) 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 preparation will be two hours. Jury team will assess the contestants on technical skills, creativity, organizational skills, hygiene, taste, presentation and consistency. Bartender Within a time frame, contestants have to choose at least one ingredient from the provided list and bring in their own ingredients and glassware to create a cocktail for two persons. The jury team will assess the contestants on technical skills, creativity, presentation, flavor, speed and consistency of the drink. Chinese Cook – Cantonese Cuisine (Intermediate level)
A series of ingredients will be given to the finalists and they will be asked to prepare three assigned main dishes. (Detail information will be provided later) The time frame for preparation will be two hours. Jury team will assess the contestants on technical skills, creativity, organizational skills, hygiene, taste, presentation and consistency. Concierge and Bell Attendant
Quiz Bee will also be adopted in the final round. Questions are designed to test the contestants’ job knowledge, information about Macao, tourist attractions, current events, language competence, etc. Front Desk Agent/Customer Relations Officer
The final round will be the time for testing contestants to show their overall technical skills and their knowledge. Each contestant will compete with each other in individual Quiz Bee on Front Desk / Customer Relations knowledge and skills as well as assigned questions, questions will now go deep into each category. The jury team will assess the contestants on their selling techniques, product knowledge, communication skills, language competence, body gesture, timing and overall presentation. Room Attendant
The participants will be given a maximum of 15 minutes to make up beds. The jury team will assess the contestants on speed and quality of work. Waiter / Waitress (Chinese Restaurant Service)
Contestants will be asked to share/spilt a special dish of food equally on trolley and to serve afterwards. Assessment will be based on technical skills, knowledge, speed and service quality. Waiter / Waitress (Western Restaurant Service)
Contestants are requested to perform a Gueridon Fruit Service, which include peeling, cutting, plating and serving various types of fresh fruit. Juries will base on the skill, standard of hygiene, posture, method, courtesy and speed to assess the contestants. 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.
