As we all know, even in one’s home, things get worn and need to be cleaned and maintained on a regular basis. Walls repainted every so often, air conditioners and gas heaters serviced, repairs to kitchen cabinets and the like … these need to be done to keep the home a healthy environment and one that runs efficiently. Finding a capable, qualified contractor is a challenge these days.
Magnify this several thousand times to all the new buildings that will line the CoTai strip, the numerous residential towers going up, and huge public buildings like the Macau East Asian Games Dome. Planned preventative maintenance is crucial to all buildings. Ad hoc maintenance leads to fire fighting, urgency, delays, inconvenienced customers – and higher costs to entice suppliers to provide a rush job on getting the necessary parts in.
But where are all the workers going to come from, where will these places find the expertise to carry out the necessary maintenance and upkeep? It really is a major concern.
A common story amongst the hotel casino operators: An operations engineer currently has a team of around 400 and he’s wondering how he’s going to be able to employ another 90 staff for the new buildings soon to open. He needs electrical and mechanical technicians, people with trade skills for carpentry, plumbing … if these are supposed to be primarily Macau ID holders – where does one go to recruit?
Recent Recruitment Fair days held at the Macau University and the Macau University of Science & Technology brought in 20 or so applicants for him – but not from the student body. They all came from other casinos. “It’s a pool where staff jump from one hotel casino to another”, he explains, “but where is the new blood going to come from?”
Macau authorities could take a leaf out of what France has been doing since 1924. Supported by the French Ministry of Labour a craftsmen competition is held with winners being given the extremely prestigious award “Un Des Meilleurs Ouvriers de France” (One of the Best Craftsmen of France). Special abilities within categories of trade are recognized by professionals and general public alike. Many are in the buildings field that Macau so badly needs to be grooming for now and for the future: general mechanics, electrical equipment and installation, wood carpentry, mosaics, plumbing and sanitary works, painting and paint decoration, cement works, stone masonry, reinforced concrete, work in glass, mirror, ironwork, plaster, cement and metal.Learn how to sell your house quickly and conveniently at https://www.cash-for-houses.org/idaho/
This competition requires months, sometimes years, of preparation. Technical skills, innovation, respect for traditions and other aspects are all practiced repeatedly to a level of refinement and excellence, effectiveness and quickness to succeed. Candidates are given a certain amount of time and basic materials not only to create a masterpiece, but to do so with a goal of approaching perfection. The chosen method, the organization, the act, the speed, the knowhow and the respect for the rules of the trade are verified by a jury. The winning candidates retain their title for life. It is they that France looks to, to promote their crafts to up and coming talent with great pride and passion.
Japan has a similar government sponsored initiatives that are aimed to promote outstandingly skilled worker training and competitions, where winners are greatly revered.
I say to the Macau education authorities – we need to bring back our pride in skilled tradesmen and artisans.
And my guess is, if they are paid as well as our croupiers, I imagine sign-ups to the industry will substantially grow.
