Terrible shortage of RPG programmers today

Just wanted to throw in my $.02 on this one.....
<snip>
Why do you say that? With the terrible shortage of RPG programmers today,
you'd think this would have a lot of weight...
</snip>

I keep hearing there is a storage of RPG programmers but I sure don't see
it. I couldn't even get companies in LA or Orange County to respond.
I have to admit, I don't see it either. I live in OC and work in LA, and
every time it's time to find a new job the pool of shops is smaller and
smaller here.

Well, Around here anyway, if you're only an RPG programmer you are
considered to be obsolete. I've found now that you need to have a lot more
skills than RPG to survive in the IT world now. Java, dot Net, etc are
beginning to slowly replace the RPG programs that we love dearly.
That's very true. I'm always hired as an RPG programmer but it's my web
and OO skills that wind up getting me the job. No one wants a
"green-screen" mindset, and if you have nothing else but RPG on your
resume then it's over before you get to the interview.

I'm currently looking to hire two RPG programmers, and haven't had many
responses. Of the 10 or so responses I have had, perhaps half of them are
from people with no RPG experience who figured they'd apply anyway, just
in case.
Hmmm, when I heard you were looking for programmers Scott I was excited.
Who wouldn't want to go to work and learn from one of the best? Then I
noticed you were in Wisconsin.....I think I'll stay here in SoCal and just
learn from your great code via the list. It's cold enough in my cube as
it is. =)

The other problem, of course, is that RPG programmers don't ever want to
upgrade their skills. This has led to the widespread opinion that RPG is
only for maintaining legacy green-screen software.
One thing that I've noticed in the last few years is, (at least around
here), that is no longer true. The old dinosaur programmers have gone
away/retired/etc leaving the programmers that are adaptable and willing to
change. Like here for example, the other Senior P/A has been here for 28
years. I can't even imagine working in the same place for 28 years, but
he loves SQL, and I've got him started on /free. He's even asked about
loading WDSC onto his PC if we can get it upgraded. And he's not the only
one I've run into that is willing to try new stuff.

But the lack of talent is starting to eclipse this problem!
That's the rub. The people that are left are willing to adapt, only it's
too late. There's very few jobs and very few installs. Has IBM ever
heard of the word marketing? or Sales?

It really makes me sad.
You and me both.