Steelpan Manufacturing

Home  >  Services  >  Career Maps and Pathways  > Steelpan Manufacturing and Tuning

The steelpan is the national musical instrument of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. A key component of the steelpan industry is the steelpan manufacturing and tuning process. Steelpan manufacturing refers to the art and science of making steelpan instruments, which include double guitar pan, triple guitar pan, four cello pan, tenor bass/high bass, six bass/low bass, nine bass, triple cello, tenor pan, double tenor pan, second pan and double second pan. There is a high demand for the production of the tenor pan. Tuning is important to the process in order to acquire the final pitch and timbre of the notes on the steelpan instrument. This gives the steelpan its distinct sound.

The key competencies required by the Pan Builder/Pan Constructor for Steelpan Manufacturing are marking out the drum face for sinking; sinking the drum to create an evenly stretched surface; drafting the notes on the surface of the pan; tempering the pan; cutting and drilling the pan; countersinking and grooving the notes on the pan; performing final preparation to level the grooves and set the pan.

There are distinct competencies for Steelpan Tuning, which include setting the pan for pre-tuning; pre-tuning the pan; final tuning the pan to set the final pitch and timbre; and blending the pan to adjust the pitch, timbre and loudness of the notes.

As the demand for steelpan instruments continue to grow internationally, there is the need for a skilled labour force of Pan Workshop Helpers/Pan-Building Apprentices, Sinkers, Pan Builders/Pan Constructors, Groovers and Tuners (pre-tuning), Tuner (final tuning). Opportunities exist in the Steelpan industry for entrepreneurship through the establishment of small or medium-sized steelpan manufacturing and tuning enterprises.

Pan Workshop Helper, Pan Building Apprentice

The worker at this level works under supervision to perform steelpan manufacturing activities to produce frontline, middle and background range steelpan instruments- which include tenor pan, double tenor pan, second pan and double second pan, double guitar pan, triple guitar pan, triple cello, four cello pan, tenor bass/high bass, six bass/low bass and nine bass. This includes sinking the drum, performing cutting and drilling operations on the drum, drafting notes, and performing housekeeping in the work area.

He or she must also be able to maintain an effective work environment by following health and safety requirements when performing work activities.

  1. Maintain and apply health, safety and environmental regulations and procedures in the workplace

  2. Identify potential hazards and take appropriate action to minimise the risks posed. It also includes identifying and dealing with emergency situations

  3. Establish and maintain productive work relationships and communicate work-related information

  4. Perform steelpan manufacturing work activities under supervision, such as selecting the drum, marking the drum face and carrying out sinking operations

  5. Apply methods to make concentric circles

  6. Measure and calculate manually

  7. Mark and draft notes on the stretched surface of the drum using templates

  8. Perform cutting and drilling operations for manufacturing frontline, middle and background range steelpan instruments, which include measuring the length of the skirt to be cut, as well as measuring and marking the position on the steelpan to drill holes

  9. Perform activities to temper the drumhead, which include conducting preparation activities, placing the drumhead in position over the fire, rotating the drumhead for even tempering, performing the cooling process and reporting completion of the tempering process

  10. Perform cleaning and storage of the drumhead prior to final tuning

  11. Perform housekeeping activities such as restoring the work area, disposal of waste material and storing tools and equipment

  12. Follow reporting requirements, such as when inconsistencies are identified during the work activities for the manufacturing process, and upon completion of the work activity

  1. Written and Oral Communication

  2. Numeracy

  3. Work in teams

  4. Critical Thinking

  5. Continuous learning

  6. Adaptability

  7. Work ethic

  8. Hand-Eye Coordination

  9. Technical drawing

  10. Ability to follow instructions from documents and supervisor

  1. Certificate in Steelpan Manufacturing from an accredited institution

  1. Pan Builder/Pan Constructor

  2. Groover

The worker at this level works under supervision to conduct preparation activities and perform sinking of the drum to manufacture frontline, middle and background range steelpan instruments- which include tenor pan, double tenor pan, second pan and double second pan, double guitar pan, triple guitar pan, triple cello, four cello pan, tenor bass/high bass, six bass/low bass and nine bass.

Work activities include selecting the drum and mapping out concentric circles on the drum face. Procedures are also applied to sink the drum, and entails using a hammering technique based on the supervisor’s instructions.

He or she must also be able to maintain an effective work environment by following health and safety requirements when performing steelpan manufacturing activities.

  1. Maintain and apply health, safety and environmental regulations and procedures in the workplace

  2. Identify potential hazards and take appropriate action to minimise the risks posed. It also includes identifying and dealing with emergency situations

  3. Establish and maintain productive work relationships and communicate work-related information

  4. Measure and calculate manually

  5. Perform preparation activities under supervision. This includes examining the drum for inconsistencies, measuring the drum for the required diameter and testing to ensure adequacy of the drum for manufacturing the specific type of steelpan instrument

  6. Mark the drum face for sinking by applying methods to make concentric circles

  7. Perform sinking of the drum by applying the sinking method, based on supervisor’s instructions. This includes performing a final sinking and smoothening of the surface of the drum to achieve the desired profile/shape

  8. Follow reporting requirements of identified inconsistencies during the sinking process, and upon completion of the work activity

  9. Perform housekeeping activities such as restoring the work area, disposal of waste material and storing of tools and equipment

  1. Written and Oral Communication

  2. Numeracy

  3. Work in teams

  4. Critical Thinking

  5. Continuous learning

  6. Adaptability

  7. Work ethic

  8. Hand-Eye Coordination

  9. Technical drawing

  10. Ability to follow instructions from documents and supervisor

  1. Certificate in Steelpan Manufacturing from an accredited institution

  1. Pan Builder/Pan Constructor

Pan Workshop Helper, Pan Building Apprentice

The worker at this level works under supervision to perform steelpan manufacturing activities to produce frontline, middle and background range steelpan instruments- which include tenor pan, double tenor pan, second pan and double second pan, double guitar pan, triple guitar pan, triple cello, four cello pan, tenor bass/high bass, six bass/low bass and nine bass. This includes sinking the drum, performing cutting and drilling operations on the drum, drafting notes, and performing housekeeping in the work area.

He or she must also be able to maintain an effective work environment by following health and safety requirements when performing work activities.

Technical and Core Skills:

  1. Maintain and apply health, safety and environmental regulations and procedures in the workplace

  2. Identify potential hazards and take appropriate action to minimise the risks posed. It also includes identifying and dealing with emergency situations

  3. Establish and maintain productive work relationships and communicate work-related information

  4. Perform steelpan manufacturing work activities under supervision, such as selecting the drum, marking the drum face and carrying out sinking operations

  5. Apply methods to make concentric circles

  6. Measure and calculate manually

  7. Mark and draft notes on the stretched surface of the drum using templates

  8. Perform cutting and drilling operations for manufacturing frontline, middle and background range steelpan instruments, which include measuring the length of the skirt to be cut, as well as measuring and marking the position on the steelpan to drill holes

  9. Perform activities to temper the drumhead, which include conducting preparation activities, placing the drumhead in position over the fire, rotating the drumhead for even tempering, performing the cooling process and reporting completion of the tempering process

  10. Perform cleaning and storage of the drumhead prior to final tuning

  11. Perform housekeeping activities such as restoring the work area, disposal of waste material and storing tools and equipment

  12. Follow reporting requirements, such as when inconsistencies are identified during the work activities for the manufacturing process, and upon completion of the work activity

Employability Skills:

  1. Written and Oral Communication

  2. Numeracy

  3. Work in teams

  4. Critical Thinking

  5. Continuous learning

  6. Adaptability

  7. Work ethic

  8. Hand-Eye Coordination

  9. Technical drawing

  10. Ability to follow instructions from documents and supervisor

Qualification and Experience:

  1. Certificate in Steelpan Manufacturing from an accredited institution

Articulation:

  1. Pan Builder/Pan Constructor

  2. Groover

Sinker

The worker at this level works under supervision to conduct preparation activities and perform sinking of the drum to manufacture frontline, middle and background range steelpan instruments- which include tenor pan, double tenor pan, second pan and double second pan, double guitar pan, triple guitar pan, triple cello, four cello pan, tenor bass/high bass, six bass/low bass and nine bass.

Work activities include selecting the drum and mapping out concentric circles on the drum face. Procedures are also applied to sink the drum, and entails using a hammering technique based on the supervisor’s instructions.

He or she must also be able to maintain an effective work environment by following health and safety requirements when performing steelpan manufacturing activities.

Technical and Core Skills:

  1. Maintain and apply health, safety and environmental regulations and procedures in the workplace

  2. Identify potential hazards and take appropriate action to minimise the risks posed. It also includes identifying and dealing with emergency situations

  3. Establish and maintain productive work relationships and communicate work-related information

  4. Measure and calculate manually

  5. Perform preparation activities under supervision. This includes examining the drum for inconsistencies, measuring the drum for the required diameter and testing to ensure adequacy of the drum for manufacturing the specific type of steelpan instrument

  6. Mark the drum face for sinking by applying methods to make concentric circles

  7. Perform sinking of the drum by applying the sinking method, based on supervisor’s instructions. This includes performing a final sinking and smoothening of the surface of the drum to achieve the desired profile/shape

  8. Follow reporting requirements of identified inconsistencies during the sinking process, and upon completion of the work activity

  9. Perform housekeeping activities such as restoring the work area, disposal of waste material and storing of tools and equipment

Employability Skills:

  1. Written and Oral Communication

  2. Numeracy

  3. Work in teams

  4. Critical Thinking

  5. Continuous learning

  6. Adaptability

  7. Work ethic

  8. Hand-Eye Coordination

  9. Technical drawing

  10. Ability to follow instructions from documents and supervisor

Qualification and Experience:

  1. Certificate in Steelpan Manufacturing from an accredited institution

Articulation:

  1. Pan Builder/Pan Constructor

Pan Builder / Pan Constructor

At this level the skilled worker who performs steelpan manufacturing activities to produce the front line, middle range and background range steelpan instruments- include tenor pan, double tenor pan, second pan and double second pan, double guitar pan, triple guitar pan, triple cello, four cello pan, tenor bass/high bass, six bass/low bass and nine bass.

Work activities include assessing the suitability of the drum and conducting related preparations for sinking, applying methods to sink the drum and inspecting the drum surface, performing cutting and drilling operations on the drum, determining the note layout and drafting notes, performing the grooving process, tempering the pan, performing finishing procedures to level the grooves and shaping the notes, as well as setting the pan for pre-tuning. Quality checks are also conducted throughout the manufacturing process to ensure the finished product meets the industry specifications.

He or she must also be able to maintain an effective work environment by following health and safety requirements when performing work activities.

  1. Maintain and apply health, safety and environmental regulations and procedures in the workplace

  2. Identify potential hazards and take appropriate action to minimise the risks posed. It also includes identifying and dealing with emergency situations

  3. Establish and maintain productive work relationships and communicate work-related information

  4. Perform sinking operations for manufacturing the front line, middle and background range steelpan, such as assessing the drum and providing recommendations on its suitability for steelpan making and use of the drum for the various types of steelpans. This also includes marking the drum face, applying methods to sink the surface of the drum, and identifying and rectifying inconsistencies such as thickness of the metal or a warped drum

  5. Apply methods to make concentric circles

  6. Measure and calculate manually

  7. Determine the note layout to mark and draft notes on the stretched surface of the drum. This includes inspecting the note placement and size for the width and depth of the steelpan type and rectifying errors in the drafting process

  8. Countersink the note region of the drumhead and make adjustments to ensure all notes are level with each other

  9. Groove the outer and inner notes, which is an indentation that outlines and separate the notes This includes inspecting the quality of the countersinking prior to commencing the grooving process

  10. Perform cutting and drilling operations for manufacturing frontline, middle and background range steelpan instruments, which include measuring the length of the skirt to be cut, as well as measuring and marking the position on the steelpan to drill holes

  11. Temper the drumhead, which include conducting preparation activities, placing the drumhead in position over the fire, rotating the drumhead for even tempering, performing the cooling process and reporting completion of the tempering process

  12. Set the pan for pre-tuning, which entails levelling the grooves and making adjustments for a smooth transition from the note regions. The final shape of the notes is examined to identify inconsistencies such as sharp indentations, buckles and uneven arch, and a final levelling is also conducted

  13. Perform cleaning and storage of the drumhead prior to final tuning

  14. Follow reporting requirements

  1. Written and Oral Communication

  2. Numeracy

  3. Physical strength and endurance

  4. Work in teams

  5. Critical Thinking

  6. Continuous learning

  7. Adaptability

  8. Work ethic

  9. Hand-Eye Coordination

  10. Technical drawing

  11. Detail oriented

  12. Planning and organizing

  13. Problem-solving

  14. Ability to follow instructions from documents and supervisor

  1. Certificate in Steelpan Manufacturing from an accredited institution

  1. Tuner (Pre-tuning)

  2. Workshop Supervisor

At this level he/she specialises in performing work activities to groove steelpan instruments, which entails engraving lines or indentation to mark and separate the note areas. The Groover specialises in performing grooving to produce front line, middle range and background range steelpan instruments- tenor pan, double tenor pan, second pan and double second pan, double guitar pan, triple guitar pan, triple cello, four cello pan, tenor bass/high bass, six bass/low bass and nine bass.

Work activities include preparation for the grooving process, including countersinking, checking the note shape and ensuring the border notes are smooth and level. Fundamentally, procedures are applied to groove all the notes.

  1. Maintain and apply health, safety and environmental regulations and procedures in the workplace

  2. Identify potential hazards and take appropriate action to minimise the risks posed. It also includes identifying and dealing with emergency situations

  3. Establish and maintain productive work relationships and communicate work-related information

  4. Prepare the steelpan for the grooving process. This includes countersinking the playing surface by ‘backing’ the notes using the ‘backing’ hammer to hit the radial lines from rim toward the centre, as well as the border around each note.

  5. Inspect the quality of countersinking and the note shape. This includes checking the border of the notes to ensure it is smooth and level

  6. Perform the grooving process of all the notes by positioning the punch on the border of the note and striking perpendicular to the surface of the pan

  7. Set the face of the punch by ensuring the head has a sharp edge and the diameter meets the requirements of the various types of steelpan instruments

  8. Follow reporting requirements upon completion of the work activity

  9. Perform housekeeping activities such as restoring the work area and storing tools and equipment

  1. Written and Oral Communication

  2. Numeracy

  3. Work in teams

  4. Critical Thinking

  5. Continuous learning

  6. Adaptability

  7. Work ethic

  8. Hand-Eye Coordination

  9. Technical drawing

  10. Ability to follow instructions from documents and supervisor

  1. Certificate in Steelpan Manufacturing from an accredited institution

  1. Pan Builder/Pan Constructor – Individuals can progress laterally to Pan Builder/Pan Constructor by acquiring industry experience and certification in Steelpan Manufacturing from an accredited institution

Pan Builder / Pan Constructor

At this level the skilled worker who performs steelpan manufacturing activities to produce the front line, middle range and background range steelpan instruments- include tenor pan, double tenor pan, second pan and double second pan, double guitar pan, triple guitar pan, triple cello, four cello pan, tenor bass/high bass, six bass/low bass and nine bass.

Work activities include assessing the suitability of the drum and conducting related preparations for sinking, applying methods to sink the drum and inspecting the drum surface, performing cutting and drilling operations on the drum, determining the note layout and drafting notes, performing the grooving process, tempering the pan, performing finishing procedures to level the grooves and shaping the notes, as well as setting the pan for pre-tuning. Quality checks are also conducted throughout the manufacturing process to ensure the finished product meets the industry specifications.

He or she must also be able to maintain an effective work environment by following health and safety requirements when performing work activities.

Technical and Core Skills:

  1. Maintain and apply health, safety and environmental regulations and procedures in the workplace

  2. Identify potential hazards and take appropriate action to minimise the risks posed. It also includes identifying and dealing with emergency situations

  3. Establish and maintain productive work relationships and communicate work-related information

  4. Perform sinking operations for manufacturing the front line, middle and background range steelpan, such as assessing the drum and providing recommendations on its suitability for steelpan making and use of the drum for the various types of steelpans. This also includes marking the drum face, applying methods to sink the surface of the drum, and identifying and rectifying inconsistencies such as thickness of the metal or a warped drum

  5. Apply methods to make concentric circles

  6. Measure and calculate manually

  7. Determine the note layout to mark and draft notes on the stretched surface of the drum. This includes inspecting the note placement and size for the width and depth of the steelpan type and rectifying errors in the drafting process

  8. Countersink the note region of the drumhead and make adjustments to ensure all notes are level with each other

  9. Groove the outer and inner notes, which is an indentation that outlines and separate the notes This includes inspecting the quality of the countersinking prior to commencing the grooving process

  10. Perform cutting and drilling operations for manufacturing frontline, middle and background range steelpan instruments, which include measuring the length of the skirt to be cut, as well as measuring and marking the position on the steelpan to drill holes

  11. Temper the drumhead, which include conducting preparation activities, placing the drumhead in position over the fire, rotating the drumhead for even tempering, performing the cooling process and reporting completion of the tempering process

  12. Set the pan for pre-tuning, which entails levelling the grooves and making adjustments for a smooth transition from the note regions. The final shape of the notes is examined to identify inconsistencies such as sharp indentations, buckles and uneven arch, and a final levelling is also conducted

  13. Perform cleaning and storage of the drumhead prior to final tuning

  14. Follow reporting requirements

Employability Skills:

  1. Written and Oral Communication

  2. Numeracy

  3. Physical strength and endurance

  4. Work in teams

  5. Critical Thinking

  6. Continuous learning

  7. Adaptability

  8. Work ethic

  9. Hand-Eye Coordination

  10. Technical drawing

  11. Detail oriented

  12. Planning and organizing

  13. Problem-solving

  14. Ability to follow instructions from documents and supervisor

Qualification and Experience:

  1. Certificate in Steelpan Manufacturing from an accredited institution

Articulation:

  1. Tuner (Pre-tuning)

  2. Workshop Supervisor

Groover

At this level he/she specialises in performing work activities to groove steelpan instruments, which entails engraving lines or indentation to mark and separate the note areas. The Groover specialises in performing grooving to produce front line, middle range and background range steelpan instruments- tenor pan, double tenor pan, second pan and double second pan, double guitar pan, triple guitar pan, triple cello, four cello pan, tenor bass/high bass, six bass/low bass and nine bass.

Work activities include preparation for the grooving process, including countersinking, checking the note shape and ensuring the border notes are smooth and level. Fundamentally, procedures are applied to groove all the notes.

Technical and Core Skills:

  1. Maintain and apply health, safety and environmental regulations and procedures in the workplace

  2. Identify potential hazards and take appropriate action to minimise the risks posed. It also includes identifying and dealing with emergency situations

  3. Establish and maintain productive work relationships and communicate work-related information

  4. Prepare the steelpan for the grooving process. This includes countersinking the playing surface by ‘backing’ the notes using the ‘backing’ hammer to hit the radial lines from rim toward the centre, as well as the border around each note.

  5. Inspect the quality of countersinking and the note shape. This includes checking the border of the notes to ensure it is smooth and level

  6. Perform the grooving process of all the notes by positioning the punch on the border of the note and striking perpendicular to the surface of the pan

  7. Set the face of the punch by ensuring the head has a sharp edge and the diameter meets the requirements of the various types of steelpan instruments

  8. Follow reporting requirements upon completion of the work activity

  9. Perform housekeeping activities such as restoring the work area and storing tools and equipment

Employability Skills:

  1. Written and Oral Communication

  2. Numeracy

  3. Work in teams

  4. Critical Thinking

  5. Continuous learning

  6. Adaptability

  7. Work ethic

  8. Hand-Eye Coordination

  9. Technical drawing

  10. Ability to follow instructions from documents and supervisor

Qualification and Experience:

  1. Certificate in Steelpan Manufacturing from an accredited institution

Articulation:

  1. Pan Builder/Pan Constructor – Individuals can progress laterally to Pan Builder/Pan Constructor by acquiring industry experience and certification in Steelpan Manufacturing from an accredited institution

At this level he/she performs a board range of functions that includes supervising steelpan manufacturing activities which influence the tuning process when producing front line, middle range and background range instruments- tenor pan, double tenor pan, second pan and double second pan, double guitar pan, triple guitar pan, triple cello, four cello pan, tenor bass/high bass, six bass/low bass and nine bass.

He/She understands the mechanics and principles of steelpan building and is responsible for adjusting the notes in order to acquire a uniform pitch prior to fine tuning. He/she must have a keen eye to look for any possible defects in earlier craftsmanship and in particular to identify a proper sunk bowl shape; use of proper note shapes and sizes; surface defects in the drum like cracks, pin holes, stretch marks which can potentially open during tuning processes; and potential defects in the grooves surrounding the notes.

Technical and Core Skills:

  1. Maintain and apply health, safety and environmental regulations and procedures in the workplace

  2. Identify potential hazards and take appropriate action to minimise the risks posed. It also includes identifying and dealing with emergency situations

  3. Establish and maintain productive work relationships and communicate work-related information

  4. Manipulate and adjust notes on the steelpan, including the fundamentals and higher partials, to acquire a uniform pitch by applying a hammering technique to tune the notes. This includes checking the pitch of the notes for required frequency

  5. Perform inspection of finished steelpan for conformance to the job specifications. It also includes assessing findings to rectify any inconsistencies such as grooves of the note areas that are too deep or defects including cracks

  6. Monitor steelpan manufacturing activities performed by subordinates as well as resolving any problems and providing recommendations for work activities performed

  7. Supervise a team by leading work tasks, as well as ensuring the competence of staff required to perform a function

Employability Skills:

  1. Written and Oral Communication

  2. Working in teams

  3. Problem solving

  4. Ability to use documents which include job specifications

  5. Teaching/ Continuous learning

  6. Work ethic

  7. Planning and organization

  8. Quality Control

  9. Time management

  10. Hand-Eye Coordination

  11. Supervisory Skills

Qualification and Experience:

  1. Diploma in Steelpan Manufacturing from an accredited institution

  2. National Skills Development Programme (NSDP) Journeyman Programme

  3. Certificate in Steelpan Tuning from an accredited institution

  4. Considerable industry experience in steelpan manufacturing and tuning – minimum 5 years

Articulation:

  1. Tuner (Final tuning)

  1. Maintain and apply health, safety and environmental regulations and procedures in the workplace

  2. Identify potential hazards and take appropriate action to minimise the risks posed. It also includes identifying and dealing with emergency situations

  3. Establish and maintain productive work relationships and communicate work-related information

  4. Manipulate and adjust notes on the steelpan, including the fundamentals and higher partials, to acquire a uniform pitch by applying a hammering technique to tune the notes. This includes checking the pitch of the notes for required frequency

  5. Perform inspection of finished steelpan for conformance to the job specifications. It also includes assessing findings to rectify any inconsistencies such as grooves of the note areas that are too deep or defects including cracks

  6. Monitor steelpan manufacturing activities performed by subordinates as well as resolving any problems and providing recommendations for work activities performed

  7. Supervise a team by leading work tasks, as well as ensuring the competence of staff required to perform a function

  1. Written and Oral Communication

  2. Working in teams

  3. Problem solving

  4. Ability to use documents which include job specifications

  5. Teaching/ Continuous learning

  6. Work ethic

  7. Planning and organization

  8. Quality Control

  9. Time management

  10. Hand-Eye Coordination

  11. Supervisory Skills

  1. Diploma in Steelpan Manufacturing from an accredited institution

  2. National Skills Development Programme (NSDP) Journeyman Programme

  3. Certificate in Steelpan Tuning from an accredited institution

  4. Considerable industry experience in steelpan manufacturing and tuning – minimum 5 years

  1. Tuner (Final tuning)

The Tuner (Final tuning) is responsible for fine tuning and blending front line, middle range and background range steelpan instruments- tenor pan, double tenor pan, second pan and double second pan, double guitar pan, triple guitar pan, triple cello, four cello pan, tenor bass/high bass, six bass/low bass and nine bass. These instruments must be of a quality suitable for direct delivery to a customer (individual or band/orchestra) as a finished product.

The Tuner (Final tuning) understands the mechanics and principles of steelpan building and is responsible for adjusting the fundamentals and partials of each note in order to acquire the final pitch and timbre of the steelpan instrument. He/she must be aware of existing industry standards as far as quality finish, overall appearance (craftsmanship) and tonal quality. The Tuner (Final tuning) is qualified to work with a team of Pan Builders/Pan Constructors and Tuners (Pre-tuning) and has extensive knowledge and experience so as to provide guidance in producing a better instrument. This is done through verbal communication and/or actual demonstration, leading in both the directions of reverse engineering of a quality product, and also in avoiding errors.

Competencies Required

  1. Must be highly competent in fine tuning whereby focus is placed on the fundamental, the partials and the timbre. This includes adjusting the partials and fundamental of each note to determine the final pitch/timbre of the steelpan instrument

  2. Perform blending of all steelpan instruments which entails tuning the pitch, timbre and loudness of the different notes. This also includes application of knowledge  related to blending an entire family of steelpan instruments or orchestral timbre

  3. Must be able to re-tune and blend existing steelpan instruments

  4. Good working knowledge of industry standards for steelpan craftsmanship and tonal quality

  5. Good working knowledge of metallurgy as applied to steelpans

  6. Contribute to research and development related to conceptual ideas and frameworks about steelpan construction and tuning, creation of new instruments and tools, and adapting existing steelpan technology which enhance the craft of steelpan construction or tuning in quality or productivity

  7. Provide leadership to a team to achieve productivity and high quality products

  8. Ensure compliance with production schedules, process quality and efficiency standards

  9. Assure maintenance of equipment, tools and housekeeping

Soft Skills Required

  1. Excellent verbal and written communication skills

  2. Knowledge of Health and Safety requirements

  3. Understanding quality procedures

  4. Manage others to achieve results

  5. Teaching/Continuous learning

  6. Innovation

  7. Organisation

  8. Problem-solving skills

  9. Team working skills

  10. Analytical skills

  11. Attention to detail to interpret design requirements

Qualifications

  1. Advanced Diploma in Steelpan Manufacturing and Tuning from an accredited institution

  2. National Skills Development Programme (NSDP) Journeyman Programme

  3. Advanced Certificate in Steelpan Tuning from an accredited institution

  4. Considerable industry experience in steelpan manufacturing and tuning – minimum 8 years

  5. Membership of relevant professional bodies

  6. Peer acceptance- recognition of outstanding contribution to the Steelpan Manufacturing industry

  1. Must be highly competent in fine tuning whereby focus is placed on the fundamental, the partials and the timbre. This includes adjusting the partials and fundamental of each note to determine the final pitch/timbre of the steelpan instrument

  2. Perform blending of all steelpan instruments which entails tuning the pitch, timbre and loudness of the different notes. This also includes application of knowledge  related to blending an entire family of steelpan instruments or orchestral timbre

  3. Must be able to re-tune and blend existing steelpan instruments

  4. Good working knowledge of industry standards for steelpan craftsmanship and tonal quality

  5. Good working knowledge of metallurgy as applied to steelpans

  6. Contribute to research and development related to conceptual ideas and frameworks about steelpan construction and tuning, creation of new instruments and tools, and adapting existing steelpan technology which enhance the craft of steelpan construction or tuning in quality or productivity

  7. Provide leadership to a team to achieve productivity and high quality products

  8. Ensure compliance with production schedules, process quality and efficiency standards

  9. Assure maintenance of equipment, tools and housekeeping

  1. Excellent verbal and written communication skills

  2. Knowledge of Health and Safety requirements

  3. Understanding quality procedures

  4. Manage others to achieve results

  5. Teaching/Continuous learning

  6. Innovation

  7. Organisation

  8. Problem-solving skills

  9. Team working skills

  10. Analytical skills

  11. Attention to detail to interpret design requirements

  1. Advanced Diploma in Steelpan Manufacturing and Tuning from an accredited institution

  2. National Skills Development Programme (NSDP) Journeyman Programme

  3. Advanced Certificate in Steelpan Tuning from an accredited institution

  4. Considerable industry experience in steelpan manufacturing and tuning – minimum 8 years

  5. Membership of relevant professional bodies

  6. Peer acceptance- recognition of outstanding contribution to the Steelpan Manufacturing industry