Re: Midrange Jobs National Discussion

(This is Scott Klement, if you don't recognize the E-mail address.)

a) I recently had to hire an RPG programmer.  It was very, very difficult
   to find someone.  I was not looking for familiarity with specific
   software applications, just experience with ILE RPG, and would be
   happy to train.

   I only had a handful of applicants.  I think I received a total of
   16 resumes.  Some of those were people who clearly didn't understand
   what I was asking for.  Perhaps half of the resumes were from people
   who had never programmed in RPG, but had worked in other languages
   (Java, .NET, Visual Basic, ASP).  There was one resume from someone
   who thought the position was for a truck driver!

   Of the ones who actually had RPG experience, most did not have
   ILE experience.  Those that did wanted to be paid very high salaries
   (Double what I make, and I'm already one of the highest paid people
   in our entire company.)

b) I frequently get e-mails from managers and meet them at conferences,
   and see messages in forums and lists (like this one) that say that
   there's a shortage of RPG talent, and that it's not good for a company
   to continue to bank on it.  In order to survive, they feel they have
   to go to another language, such as Java, where there are so many
   more programmers available.

c) On the other hand, I've been watching the job openings.  I'm
   semi-interested in finding a different job in my area, but there has
   been virtually nothing available.   If there's such a shortage of
   programmers, then why aren't there any openings?!

   Even if I wanted to move out of the area (and I don't, I have a family
   here) there appears to be next-to-nothing that I'm qualified for.

   Many people consider me to be an expert in the field of RPG
   programming.  I receive, and help, people all over the world with
   programming questions.  I write articles all the time on the subject.
   But I'm not qualified for any of the positions?

   The positions all require specific software.  You must be familiar with
   JDE or BPCS.  Usually (on top of that) they want some sort of higher
   degree on the subject.  So, despite being someone that thousands of
   RPG programmers look to for answers, I'm not qualified for very many
   of the (very few) openings out there.

d) I keep seeing people whining about how there's no colleges teaching
   RPG or iSeries.   Since there's no jobs available, why would colleges
   teach it?  But then, why is there a shortage?