Re: What happened to Test 972: IBM Certified Specialist - ILE RPG Programmer?

Hi Jon,

<snip>
The RPG cert test has been withdrawn because there was insufficient demand for it.
</snip>

This, of course, was the only possible reason - and the only one I really expected.

It is just such a shame. At our shop we teach/train our developers in the latest skills and methodologies and we use IBM Certification as one of the benchmarks - a very important benchmark. I had two guys in the final stages of preparation (with 4 more just behind them), had them assessed last week and was going to book them in for the Exam. Any occupation that aspires to professional status requires professional bodies/associations and has to have standards - set by the industry. I guess we're just not a profession. Just a bunch of guys doing a similar job talking on a forum.

I just don't think IBM get it. I understand they are a business but certification of professionals comes as part of the deal - to me anyway. IBM are the only providers of the RPG language so the responsibility of providing supporting docs and professional certification lies with them - either directly or through endorsed partnerships.

I now have to find another way to motivate/focus my developers into embracing new skills and enhancing their current skills. Passing the Exam also gives them a confidence boost. But heck, I guess I could teach them java and walk them through the myriad Oracle certifications. ;-)

(and I agree - the thought of IBM spending all that effort getting i and p together on Power just to move i over to mainframe is classic "grassy knoll")

Cheers

Larry Ducie

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