Macau, 17 September 2013

CEM has been joining Macau Special Olympics (MSO) to run the four-month “CEM Brightening Stars” internship program for four consecutive years. Seven trainees with intellectual disability will work along with CEM staff in CEM Human Resources Department, Information Systems Department, Network Operations & Maintenance Department, Procurement & Logistics Department, Power & Networks Dispatch Department, Safety, Health, Environment & Quality Office and Communications & Public Affairs Office. CEM and MSO hope to uplift the confidence and adaptability of the intellectually disabled through providing on-job training and guidance as well as showcasing to the public their working competence, leading them to a fulfilling life.

A launching ceremony for the program kicked off in CEM Building today at 3:30pm. Officiating guests included Lei Lai Keng, Head of Labour Affairs Bureau Employment Department, Cheong Wai Fan, Head of Social Welfare Bureau Administration and Finance Department, Chow Pui Leng, Director of the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau Psycho Pedagogical Support and Special Education Centre, Lei Chi Fong, Vice President of CEM Customer Liaison Committee, Ada Lo, Chairlady of Executive Committee of MSO, Hetzer Siu, MSO National Director, Franklin Willemyns, CEM Chief Executive Officer. Other guests included members of the Commission for Rehabilitation Affairs, João Travassos da Costa and Jorge Vieira, CEM Executive Directors.

Since 2010, “CEM Brightening Stars” internship program has offered internship for 27 intellectually disabled. Besides uplifting the confidence and adaptability of the intellectually disabled, the program helps CEM employees to learn how to work together with intellectually disabled individuals and treat them with equal opportunities and rights. This year’s internship program will focus on caring for a group of trainees who were once employed but their performances were not yet satisfactory. CEM hopes the program can help them to further improve the work attitude and skills to integrate into the society again.

Franklin Willemyns indicated in his speech that CEM thanks MSO for its collaboration with CEM to organize this meaningful internship program. Besides engaging in charitable and community services, CEM has also provided internship opportunities for intellectually disabled in recent years to support them in employment. The program let them develop capabilities to the fullest, integrate into the community and demonstrate their capabilities to the public. He also encouraged all trainees to cherish the four-month internship program and fully demonstrate their advantages, and that CEM colleagues will provide patient guidance and care to these trainees, so that the effects of the internship program may be brought into full play.

Ada Lo expressed her gratitude to CEM for proactively fulfilling its responsibilities as a social enterprise and providing internship opportunities to the intellectually disabled. The internship experience and job opportunities are valuable for them, an opportunity to start their career or even a turning point of their lives. With the enthusiastic support of CEM and the endeavor of the trainees, nearly 70% of the trainees who participated in the program during the last three years have found a job and are still under employment, proving the success of the internship program. MSO looks forward to continue this meaningful internship program with CEM to gain wide support and acknowledgement from the public, so as to jointly build a harmonious employment environment for people with intellectual disability.

CEM has been collaborating with MSO since 1996 by recruiting trainees with intellectual disability for vehicle cleaning services. Various activities were organized between CEM Ambassador Team and MSO, such as “CEM Cup Athletics Competition” “CEM Cup Bowling Competition” and “CEM Cup Badminton Competition”. CEM also provides venue vehicles for MSO Car Beauty Competition every year. The intellectually disabled can gain a sense of satisfaction and boost confidence by participating in various games, in which their physical agility, mentality, intelligence, mental health and social skills can be improved.