Labour Market Forum 2010 - Planning Institute of Jamaica
Labour Market Forum 2010 - Planning Institute of Jamaica
Labour Market Forum 2010 - Planning Institute of Jamaica
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make a living in the business. By comparison, the Philippines has<br />
over one hundred thousand musicians, singers and dancers<br />
working overseas.<br />
One can find Filipino bands and artistes all over Asia and the<br />
Middle East. In the Philippines many young people are trained<br />
in the performing arts. They are schooled in every genre <strong>of</strong><br />
popular music, including reggae, and have created an<br />
important industry.<br />
Here in <strong>Jamaica</strong> only a small percentage <strong>of</strong> our schools <strong>of</strong>fer<br />
musical training so our potential remains largely untapped.<br />
I believe that it is quite realistic to imagine a day some time<br />
soon when thousands <strong>of</strong> <strong>Jamaica</strong>ns will travel overseas to work<br />
as performers on cruise ships, in resorts, and clubs as well as<br />
improve and expand what is currently on <strong>of</strong>fer to us and our<br />
visitors locally.<br />
<strong>Jamaica</strong> may never create another Bob Marley but there is no<br />
reason why thousands <strong>of</strong> us shouldn’t be earning from our<br />
musical legacy.<br />
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