RE: Chasing the wrong target? (was "giving an iSeries ...)

["Phil Kestenbaum" <pkestenbaum@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

John, there are still quite a few programmers trying to find their way
back off the job crisis in 2003. Years ago, AS/400 Operators used to
have motivation to move into Programming, then there used to be a lot
more commercial courses that focused on this, since they had a basic
understanding of how things worked on the 400. My impression now is that
Operators prefer to move into Network admin work over RPG Programming.

I suspect that you might see a return of these type of job training for
RPG now.

I happen to know a fine organization that assists the unemployed and I
will bring this up w/ them.

-----Original Message-----
From: midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jon Paris
Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2007 2:40 PM
To: midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Chasing the wrong target? (was "giving an iSeries ...)

> Hi Jon,
>
>       I follow your statement but what other directions? 

Well - for example - a very large number of midrange programmers
(including
luminaries such as Roger Pence among others) started off as accountants,
bookkeepers, etc. and were trained in programming when their company
brought
in a computer system.

Perhaps it is time to think about doing something similar.  Rather than
spend millions to attract a shrinking group of IT students, perhaps it
is
time to consider training workers laid off due to outsourcing etc.  

Jon Paris
Partner400

www.Partner400.com