Briefing session on the “Support Program for Professional Training and Education in the Convention and Exhibition Sector”
To be in line with the Macao SAR Government’s policy objectives of promoting the development of the convention and exhibition industry to gradually become a pillar industry of Macao´s economic development, the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), being the government department responsible for the overall co-ordination of the convention and exhibition industry in Macao, is actively promoting the advantages of the local MICE industry through several channels. Nurturing of talents is an important component in the sustainable development of the industry. In view of this, IPIM recently organised a briefing session on the “Support Programme for Professional Training and Education in the Convention and Exhibition Sector”, to enable local convention and exhibition industry and local education institutions to make better use of the financial incentives provided by the Programme to organise training courses and sponsor full-time employees to participate in training courses and examinations, with the objective of building a talent pool and enhancing the professional level of the industry. IPIM assumed the responsibility for co-ordinating the promotion of the convention and exhibition industry from November 2015 and effective from 1 January this year, IPIM is responsible for the implementation of several support programmes for the convention and exhibition industry, namely the “Convention and Exhibition Stimulation Programme”, “International Meeting and Trade Fair Support Programme” and the “Support Programme for Professional Training and Education in the Convention and Exhibition Sector” under Macao Economic Services (DSE). To enable local convention and exhibition industry and education institutions to have a better understanding of the “Support Programme for Professional Training and Education in the Convention and Exhibition Sector”, a briefing session was organised by IPIM on 15 March 2016 at the Macao Business Support Centre (MBSC) located on the 19th Floor of China Civil Plaza. Mr. Sam Lei, Senior Manager of IPIM´s Promotional Activities Department gave an introduction of the details of the Programme. The event attracted more than 60 participants, including representatives of local private tertiary institutions, organisations of continuing education as well as business associations of the convention and exhibition industry. Participants expressed interest in the programme and raised enquiries during the Q&A session. The Programme Provides Support to Two Categories The “Support Programme for Professional Training and Education in the Convention and Exhibition Sector” is divided into two categories, namely, providing financial support to the organisers of convention and exhibition related training activities and the course providers, as well as providing financial support to the employers or originations sponsoring their full-time staff to participate in convention and exhibition related training courses and examinations. The Programme aims to build a talent pool and enhance the professional standard of the full-time employees of the industry. From 1 April to 31 May each year, IPIM accepts applications for financial support for training courses to be held in the following year. IPIM will notify the applicants in writing of the outcome of their application before 30 September each year. Applications to sponsor employees to participate in training courses and examinations should be submitted at least two months prior to the deadline for course or examination registration or three months prior to the first day of the related activities. IPIM will notify the applicant in writing of the outcome of the application before the end of the deadline for course and examination registration.
