MOUNTAIN View-based emerging deejay Chaps believes the Government should ensure males graduating from high school have a skill or lose them to gangs.

“Full employment in construction alone cannot do it. The youth need direction and skills training and a clear path to realise dem goals. From dem touch 15, a programme should be there to identify dem talent and put them on a path to employment in a particular field, whether plumbing or carpentry or electrical. The male juveniles need fi can see dem way forward or dem get lost,” said Chaps, whose real name is Yoshiko Innerarity.

According to the Statistical Institute of Jamaica’s July 2019 Labour Force Survey, the largest increase in male employment of 7,200 was recorded in construction, while hotels and restaurants accounted for the largest increase in female employment of 5,300 people.

“The males, especially the young ‘juvvies’ [juveniles] leaving high school are being left behind or ignored and that can tear any country apart if there is no plan for them. They need real skills so they can earn outside of Jamaica instead of low paying jobs,” he said.

Chaps is currently promoting his latest single, Oh Gosh, released on the T3M Music imprint.

“ Oh Gosh is a party song and puts everyone in a dancing mood the moment they hear it on the radio,” he said.

Chaps grew up in east Kingston and attended Clan Carthy High where he developed a reputation for his unique flow and witty lyrics.

He recorded his first song in 2016, a bouncy single called Climax produced by T3M Music, which is based in the war-torn Jarrett Lane Area of east Kingston.

His other song is Medz.