The coronavirus epidemic has posed various challenges to Macau and brought a number of activities to a standstill, including suspension of classes. With a strong commitment to talent development, MGM introduced a virtual classroom developed by a local young entrepreneur to its team members during this period of epidemic.  On top of the existing 6,500 eLearning courses at MGM eAcademy, the virtual classroom offers a series of new practical courses starting from January, which has benefitted over 4,800 team members and accumulated over 21,000 training hours. The collaboration is a testimony of the Company’s pledge to support young entrepreneurship, which posed win-win situation for MGM and its SME partner.

During the business matching session under the “MYEIC ProQ Alliance” program co-organized by MGM and Macao Young Entrepreneur Incubation Center in late 2019, MGM met with local young entrepreneur Yorkshire Online Academy, which resulted in a partnership to launch a training program in Putonghua for commercial purpose. As the needs of eLearning became increasingly apparent after the outbreak of the epidemic, MGM has once again partnered with Yorkshire Online Academy to transform traditional classroom courses to distance learning mode through harnessing an instructor-led virtual classroom developed by the start-up that allows team members to learn and interact with the class remotely. As of today, there are already over 1,000 team members registered on this platform. The platform has also gained supports from various operational departments within the Company, and 30 more new virtual classroom courses will be launched with Yorkshire Online Academy, covering areas such as hotel operations, customer services and food safety. Such platform enhances team members’ participation in eLearning, and at the same time providing more opportunities to local SMEs. 

Meanwhile, the MGM eAcademy has introduced a Special Selection series since February. The series consists of 6 topics, including those developed by local SMEs and other learning partners of MGM such as Harvard Business Review and the University of Macau. Over 4,000 team members have signed up for the series, enabling them to learn freely through their mobile devices even when they are off property. 

Ms. Wendy Yu, Executive Vice President of Human Resources, said, “Talent development is of MGM’s core philosophy, and we always encourage team members to advance and add value through learning.  With our collaboration in the virtual classroom, we are able to enjoy reasonably priced and flexible products as well as fulfilling our commitment in supporting local SME. On the other hand, the collaboration also aligns our goals in talent development, offering more convenient and efficient means of learning, which takes the whole learning experience to the next level.  During the epidemic, it allows team members who stayed home to continue learning and develop their skills.”

Ms. Nicky Wong, co-founder and CEO of Yorkshire Online Academy, said “This is our first time to work with a large-scale enterprise, which is really encouraging for a young entrepreneur. We appreciate the fact that MGM chooses to partner with us even during this difficult time, which is a demonstration of their trust and support for local SMEs. More than being our client, MGM is an exemplar as they have provided us with great guidance and support that help us to grow and excel.”

About MGM eAcademy

MGM eAcademy is dedicated to providing cutting-edge learning technology and online learning solutions to team members, offering over 6,500 eLearning courses. The number of eLearning users in MGM has increased from 400 to over 6,000 since its inception. This endeavor has also been extended to the communities, including introducing the first ever Macao Sign Language eLearning program for the public in partnership with Macao Government Tourism Office and Macau Deaf Association last year. Overall, the talent development initiative was honored with the “HR Tech INNO Awards – Innovation Practice” by HR Tech China in 2019 in recognition of MGM’s digital learning offerings to enhance learner experience, learning/training results and its impact on the business.

About MGM

MGM is an abbreviation for MGM China Holdings Limited (HKEx: 2282) and is a leading developer, owner and operator of gaming and lodging resorts in the Greater China region. We are the holding company of MGM Grand Paradise, SA which holds one of the six gaming concessions/subconcessions to run casino games in Macau. MGM Grand Paradise, SA owns and operates MGM MACAU, the award-winning premium integrated resort located on the Macau Peninsula and MGM COTAI, a contemporary luxury integrated resort in Cotai, which opened in early 2018 and more than doubles our presence in Macau. 

MGM MACAU is a Forbes Five-Star luxury integrated resort inspired by the arts with every element of the resort infused with creativity and style. MGM MACAU has approximately 600 guest rooms and suites and boasts a number of distinguishing features, including the architecturally stunning European-inspired Grande Praça, housed under a soaring glass ceiling. MGM MACAU’s world class facilities include the MGM Art Space, dedicating over 5,000 square feet to display authentic works of art, conference and event facilities, spa, and seven signature restaurants and bars to fulfill any gastronomic craving. Our property is conveniently located on the Macau Peninsula and is directly connected to the luxury retail shopping complex, One Central.

MGM COTAI is the latest integrated resort of MGM in China. Designed as the “jewelry box” of Cotai, it offers approximately 1,400 hotel rooms and suites, Asia’s first dynamic theater, meeting space, high end spa, retail offerings and food and beverage outlets as well as the first international Mansion at MGM for the ultimate luxury experience. The Spectacle at MGM COTAI becomes the record holder of the largest free-span gridshell glazed roof (self-supporting) on January 19, 2019, making it the first architectural and structural GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for Macau, China. MGM COTAI is being developed to drive greater product diversification and bring more advanced and innovative forms of entertainment to Macau as it grows as a global tourist destination. MGM COTAI is the largest property and the first mega-size complex project in Macau to achieve the China Green Building Design Label Three-Star Certification.

MGM China Holdings Limited is majority owned by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM), one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort brands including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. 

For media enquiries, please contact:    

Jessie Kuan

Director of Public Relations
MGM
Tel: (853) 8806 3412
Email: jessiekuan@mgm.mo

Karen Lam

Public Relations Manager
MGM
Tel: (853) 8806 3421
Email: karenlam@mgm.mo