IFT is offering a “Western Culinary Arts Practicum Programme”, in cooperation with the local industry, to train professionals in the area of food production. An agreement signing ceremony and press conference was held on 12 July at IFT with 11 participating partner hotels to mark this meaningful collaboration.

The programme is set up to answer the need for young chefs from the local industry, hence its special emphasis on practical training. It is a contribution to the local hospitality industry by creating qualified personnel and an invitation to those who are interested in acquiring the art, skill and refinement for this commendable profession. The concept of this programme is for IFT to provide theoretical knowledge while working with well-established local hotels for practicum opportunity, where students apply the theories in hands-on practical training environment. Our industry partners include: Altira Macau, City of Dreams, Four Seasons Hotel, Grand Lapa Macau, Grand Hyatt Macau, Grand Lisboa Hotel, Hotel Lisboa, MGM GRAND Macau, Sands Macao Hotel, The Westin Resort Macau and Wynn Macau.

This free programme is carried out 6 days a week (1 day at IFT and 5 days at hotels), and lasts for 18 months, during which participating hotels will be paying a monthly allowance of not less than MOP4,000 to the students. Programme contents include general courses (such as language, computer studies, nutrition, food hygiene, purchasing and cost control, hospitality and food industry, restaurant service and customer care) which take place at IFT, while gastronomy knowledge as well as practicum are mainly at hotels.

Upon completion of the programme, students will receive a certificate issued by IFT and a skills certificate issued under Macao Occupational skills Recognition System (MORS). It is hoped that by creating qualified manpower and bringing in the right talents to the hospitality industry, that IFT’s new training programme is able to meet local demand for culinary professionals.