“TheTobago Technology Centre will be the starting point on your many paths to immense success.” This was the promise of Mr. David Lee, Chairman the Board of Directors of the Metal Industries Company Limited (MIC), in his address at the formal opening ceremony for the new centre that will be the hub for technical vocational education and training in Tobago.

The Tobago Technology Centre was formally opened on Friday 20th May 2011 in the esteemed presence of the Honourable Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar and her Cabinet colleagues. The HonourableFazalKarim, Minister of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education, in his address said that “...the Tobago Technology Centre – the largest facility of its kind for training and development – in areas of computing, entrepreneurship, and a myriad of vocational skills - ...will provide opportunities for career enhancement.

“...At this modern facility MIC will now deliver training, both at the pre-craft and higher craft levels, to an under-served population. As a result, the long-term socio-economic impact – in terms of employment levels, education, entrepreneurship and skills mobility must be recognized and appreciated by both the People’s Partnership Government and the members of the public. We are therefore placing the future of Tobago in the hands of those who will benefit most from its development – Tobagonians.”

In order to ensure that the Tobago Technology Centre would be fully operational by September 2011, the centre which was previously carded for completion in November 2011 at a projected period of 11 months was accelerated, mandating the completion of phases 2 and 3 of works, to be achieved within a four month period. The areal capacity of the building is 46,000 sq. ft. and the project has been completed at a cost that is below construction industry rate.

Approximately 300 trainees and staff will be accommodated at the facility on a full-time basis with an additional 200 trainees being accommodated part-time. Trainees will have access to libraries, laboratories, classrooms and a multi-purpose hall and cafeteria facility.

Future cohorts at the centre can enjoy access to training via numerous programmes that will be offered at the centre in a number of areas that would be vital to the development of industries in Tobago. The establishment of this facility will now allow YTEPP to deliver training programmes on a full-time basis. The Honourable Prime Minister in her address congratulated both the MIC and YTEPP for their collaboration that clearly demonstrates their commitment to the expansion of skills training in Tobago.

Some of the programmes intended for delivery at the centre include:

• Level III Journeyman in:
  • Automotive
  • Auto body Works/Boat Repairs
  • Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
  • Welding
  • Industrial Maintenance
  • Facility Management
  • SENSE Welding

• Level II NEC Craft Programmes in:
  • Electrical Installation (Domestic and industrial)
  • Plumbing
  • Tailoring
  • Dressmaking and Design
  • General Draughting

• Level I HYPE Construction Programmes in:
  • Carpentry
  • Masonry
  • Plumbing
  • Electrical
  • Welding
  • Music
  • Blue Print Reading
  • Landscaping
  • Computer Science

• YTEPP
  • Beauty Culture
  • Culinary Arts
  • Patient Care
  • Garment Construction

On behalf of the Board of Directors I am pleased to unveil MIC’s 5 year Strategic Plan 2010-2015. MIC plays a pivotal role in the growth and development of new technologies and innovation that drives national competitiveness in the industrial sector in Trinidad and Tobago.

The mandate of the Ministry of Science Technology and Tertiary Education (MSTTE) towards the development of a knowledge intensive economy, dictates the necessary alignment of MIC Strategic Priorities with those of the Ministry. In this regard the MIC Strategic Plan has incorporated key elements of the 7 Pillars for National Development.

The National Initiative for Technical / Vocational Training represents a significant component of this mandate which MIC is most strategically positioned to deliver. As such, MIC must take the lead in partnering with Government, Industry and key Post Secondary training providers to fulfill this mandate.

The strategic planning process engaged the Board of Directors and management team in understanding the national mandate and priorities to inform the specific projects highlighted in the 2010-2015 Strategic Plan.

The Board of Directors supports the management team in its drive towards the effective implementation of the 2010-2015 MIC Strategic Plan.

Sincerely,

David A. Lee
Chairman

The MIC Strategic Plan 2010 – 2015 represents the primary vehicle for alignment of the activities of the organization with the Technical / Vocational component of the mission of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education (MSTTE).

The plan is structured to guide the organization’s operational decision making relative to cost and general management as well as, the systematic execution of projects to fulfill the selected Strategic Initiatives for the planning period 2010 – 2015. The Initiatives appear in the list below.

• Operational Excellence
• Accreditation
• New Product Introduction / Innovation
• High Performance Culture / Image & Branding
• Strategic Partnerships

The carefully selected Strategic Initiatives listed above are intended to advance the organization to improved levels of execution of its mandate – The Creation of Competitive Industries in Trinidad and Tobago; through Training, Manufacturing Services and Product Development support. A range of “Key” Enterprise Level Projects including; Capital – Infrastructure – Continuous Improvement and Technology, projects have been selected to drive the fulfillment of these Initiatives that will lead to execution throughout the organization over the next 5 Years.

The MIC 5-Year Strategic Plan will be cascaded across the organization through a series of 1-Year Enterprise Operating Plans designed to be implemented by the organization in each “current” year,  thereby giving MIC the ability to adjust or accelerate the targets throughout the planning period to drive optimum achievements of the 5 – Year Strategic Goals.