Trinidad Newsday - Sasha Harrinanan
NGC signs MOA with MIC-IT to sustain the future of pan: Signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between NGC’s President Mark Loquan and MIC-IT’s CEO Brian James on July 26, 2018 for the delivery of a customized “Mechanical Engineering Technology with Steelpan Manufacturing” Programme to members of NGC’s sponsored and part-sponsored steelbands. PHOTO COURTESY NGC.
THE National Gas Company (NGC) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the MIC Institute of Technology (MIC-IT) to deliver a customised Mechanical Engineering Technology with Steelpan Manufacturing programme to members of NGC’s sponsored and part-sponsored steelbands.
NGC said, “The noted shortage of skilled craftsmen to fabricate and manufacture the national instrument has long been a cause of concern for those in and those supportive of the pan fraternity. A definite need exists for the creation of a cadre of trained and expert individuals who can sustain the physical pan and by extension the art form.”
Through its community social responsibility programme and this MOA – signed on July 26 – NGC said it has heeded that call.
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The course modules include steelpan construction and tuning; science of sound and the history of pan; introduction to sound engineering, machine shop, welding and fabrication; music technology; and related mathematics, science and computer applications.
“The course will be delivered in three, six-month cycles commencing September 2018 and concluding June 2021. Trainees will be assessed both during and at the end of each cycle, and upon successful completion of the programme they will be awarded a certificate based on MIC-IT’s rigorous Examination Framework.
NGC president Mark Loquan said the company envisions that the skills acquired through this programme “will be used to not only help prepare the bands for future competitions but to ensure their future sustainability.”
Will be interested in getting specifics about the course curriculum, selection process including cost, some say it will take about seven years for one to be considered a qualified professional in this industry.
Thank You NGC and NGC President MarK Loquan
Hopefully, other corporations and Institutions of Higher Education will follow your example.
Buh