DESPITE SOME improvement in the overall economy, the lack of new job opportunities continues to be a problem for the Bush administration. Now comes the bad news that giant International Business Machines (IBM) will be outsourcing some of its technical information technology to firms in China and Brazil in order to reduce operational expenses. It is reported that a programmer in China earns US$12.50 per hour ($J758) compared with US$56 per hour (J$3,388) for his American counterpart.
These are staggering figures at both ends of the scale, income a part of which Jamaicans could be earning if the Jamaican government had emphasised computer technology in our educational system and eschewed youthful exuberance in favour of a well thought-out strategy for attracting properly financed investors to Jamaica.
India is a good example of what a developing economy can do to take advantage of an industry now worth one trillion dollars world-wide, of which America accounts for 39 per cent. By setting extremely high standards in their technical schools and universities, Indians have been able to launch a two-pronged attack on the American market: Indian talent has invaded Silicon Valley, and many large American firms are outsourcing their computer functions and telemarketing operations to India. Huge call centres have been set up in Bangalore, India's Silicon Valley, and New Delhi, which accommodates telemarketers, all with university degrees, who call customers in the U.S. Billing enquiries and even income tax returns are handled in India unbeknownst to the final American consumer.
To overcome pronunciation problems for Indians who speak English with an accent (Vs used to pronounce Ws, for example) the telemarketing centres in India run classes in elocution. In a knowledge-based international economy, India and China have seen an opportunity and grasped it. Jamaica's failure to do so is a tragedy, because we have the advantage of closer ties to America and an English-speaking population. Any problem with patois could be overcome by special training.
While the Indian success rests on the government's educational emphasis, it is Indian private sector entrepreneurs who are making the overall system work. Perhaps it is not too late for such a partnership to be promoted in Jamaica.
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