14 August, 2015, Macau

To assist Macau youngsters to explore their professional aptitude, realize their potentials, and understand the importance of undergraduate course enrollment and how it contributes to their future development, CEM and the Rotary Club of Guia hosted the event “One Week @ CEM” along with the co-organizers, Macao Federation of Trade Unions, The Women’s General Association of Macau, and Young Men’s Christian Association of Macau. 27 youngsters were selected to participate in the event and were provided with a career training opportunity, including a camping experience with their mentors.

Youngsters who participated in the event were invited to a sharing session at the Macau Tower Entertainment and Convention Centre along with their mentors. Acting Head of Youth Affairs Bureau (DSEJ) Vong Iat Hang, President of Rotary Club of Guia Kent Lao, Director of Women’s General Association of Macau Lam Iun Mui, Vice-President of Macao Federation of Trade Unions Wong Kuai Leng, Principal Secretary of Young Men’s Christian Association of Macau Eric Cheok, Assistant Director of Rotary Club in District 3450 Lei Lai Si, Executive Director of the CEM Shi Yulin and Advisor to CEM Executive Committee Iun Iok Meng have also attended the session.

Shi Yulin commented at the sharing session that CEM has always been committed to its corporate social responsibilities and cultivating local talents. Last year, CEM hosted the event, namely “One day @ CEM”. This summer, CEM has specially hosted the “One week @ CEM” event which included an overnight camping and mentoring program, with the intention of giving youngsters a real working experience, preparing them for the future, and assisting them in exploring their professional aptitude through the provision of on-site visits and internship opportunities. He believed that active participation and interaction will broaden the youngsters’ perspective, and hoped that the internship program has become a source of motivation for them to strive for their career goals and contribute to the society.

Kent Lao further commented that it is important and pivotal for young people to choose a profession that suits themselves and meets the needs of social development, as a good decision would be invaluable for society as well as themselves. He held that young people could explore their possible development directions through taking part in interactive camps. The session in the workplace enables young people to have first-hand working experience and assume professional responsibilities under the guidance of specialists from the power company. This would give them more ideas when planning for their higher education or their career in the future. It can also help them learn more about the current working and employment conditions and increase their confidence in planning for the future.

One Week @ CEM was comprised of two parts. The first part was a two-day overnight camping experience which gave youngsters the opportunity to share their dreams and passions amongst themselves. Professionals were also invited to examine their own industry, share their life experiences, and encourage youngsters to plan ahead for their future. The camp assisted the youngsters to explore and recognize the possible directions for their future development through vocational activities. In addition, the camping experience also guided the youngsters to draw a connection between their pursuits, personal circumstances and their surroundings, and assisted them in utilizing strategies to accomplish goals. Ultimately, the camping experience has enhanced the youngsters’ confidence and their sense of direction for the future.

The second part of the One Week @ CEM was a two-day working experience with their mentors at CEM. Given the opportunity to fulfill occupational responsibilities, youngsters have also learnt more about work-related requirements and daily operations. They were better prepared for the future and had a more thorough understanding of different career paths. Moreover, youngsters were arranged to join the “Energizing Tour” at the Coloane Power Station. They visited the electrical equipment of over 50 years, the old facilities of CEM operating department, milestones, exhibition room, and learnt about the power generating process and on-site inspection of the major infrastructure of power generation.

Since 1991, CEM has been organizing internship programs with the University of Macau (UM), Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (DSEJ) and Escola Luso-Chinesa Técnico-Profissional (ELCTP). Moreover, in the recent years, CEM joined hands with Macau Kung Luen Vocational & Technical Middle School (evening school) to start a three year “Electrical Power System Technical Operator Course” and provided training opportunities for those who aspire to join the technical operation industry. CEM has also partnered with UM, Macau Polytechnic Institute, University of Saint Joseph, Macau Institute of Management, and DSEJ in establishing the CEM scholarship to reward outstanding students, as a mean of cultivating local talents.