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Looming IT talent shortage
- Thread starter rpm
- Start date
TheRoDent
Cool Ideas Rep
Hallo. Fix the problem. - Simple - . Pay More.
kaspaas
Expert Member
Easy to fix: Don't tell White Males they are not welcome because they are a blot on the BEE status of a company.
In short: Scrap BEE.
Greetings from Kazakhstan where my skills are valued and I'm welcome.
In short: Scrap BEE.
Greetings from Kazakhstan where my skills are valued and I'm welcome.
[OUPA]MrNutz
Expert Member
yip..been doing adv.field support for many years now (8)...
the only the jobs that i can apply for (that i am waaaaay overqualified for) is either BEE /AA or they pay a miserable salary.
the only the jobs that i can apply for (that i am waaaaay overqualified for) is either BEE /AA or they pay a miserable salary.
Moederloos
Honorary Master
8 years M$ Visual Basic and MSSQL server, in other words, no longer cuts it - who would have thought it?
I can program business solutions in around 10 languages / scripts - and in at least 3 databases (I say "at least" since they are all so similar - probably learn how to use Paradox in a week). My solutions work, and are delivered on time. Sure a dedicated C# NET programmer will crush me in a straight C# match - but given just about any "challenge", and I will find a good, efficient and workable solution. It may be in AWK, maybe PHP, maybe C#, maybe straight Stored Procedures on mySQL, could even be VB.
It comes down to my old adage: If the only tool you have is a hammer, you try turn every problem into a nail.
Of course, BEE / AA has not helped either.
That will solve the problem of jumping jacks, but how do you make sure you attract versatile people? It is a money issue as well, but there is a problem with the requirements too. I know you are a man for all tricks TheRoDent and your reputation precedes you, but how do people who have largely self acquired knowledge without this or that certificate prove themselves?
It happens, but it is tough. There is a stream of unknown talent out there, people who could make a difference but to whom the corporate world cannot (because of a lack of talent in the PR department!) see because they don't have 12 years of experience, 30 certificates and 300 examples of billion line code stringing after them...
This is what is currently stifling us. The talent is there but the experience requirements are too high and certification requirements are too stringent. Most of what the all rounders know comes from hands on, digging in the bowels of systems they either build themselves or for some odd reason get a chance to dig around in. This includes folks who download Windows Server illegally to toy around with etc...
It is a weird world and business will have to get funky if they want to meet Alice in Wonderland!
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pkid
Expert Member
I think that they also meant that people need to have a greater understanding of business processes and how to interact with the business. Technical skills are not enough anymore.
There must be tons of techies with BCom degrees. The problem is, that these folks generally don't have BSc and other degrees to show their proficiency...
I have a BCom degree and am not too shoddy with finding solutions in a tech environment.
Moederloos
Honorary Master
I am in a similar position.
We do a lot of data processing work for major corporates. And I am the senior DBA - and write 95% of the scripts that processes their data.
Do you think I could even get a foot into the door to be interviewed at any of those companies? Nope - I am not "qualified in the right areas" - yet I land up doing a lot of the work their own analysts cannot or will not do.
Strange.
There are lots of techies with papers and no experience at all, in other words they can't apply what they learn't.
now with this shortage, does it mean more money for me?
johnnysesokkie
New Member
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show me the money
Want proof ? Then get some. If you got the stuff to do the stuff then spend the time to get the certs. If you can't be bothered then I, as a employer, already know enough about you.... In this country we already have a big problem with tolerance towards mediocrity and a cowboy attitude leads to cowboy code. "Talent" in this case also includes the ability to prove that talent by playing the PHB's game, that includes getting certs. Sorry.
Yes, I've personally experienced the fact that AA at HR is a very effective anti-skillz filter . Up until very recently I believed that normal market pressures will highlight the brokenness of unfettered AA and companies will simply start ignoring it for survival's sake factoring in possible BEE fines as part of doing business in SA. I was wrong.
What they should do:
1. Show me the money.
2. Revisit local AA/BEE policies
What you should do
1. Get certs
2. Pack for Perth.
That will solve the problem of jumping jacks, but how do you make sure you attract versatile people? It is a money issue as well, but there is a problem with the requirements too. I know you are a man for all tricks TheRoDent and your reputation precedes you, but how do people who have largely self acquired knowledge without this or that certificate prove themselves?
It happens, but it is tough. There is a stream of unknown talent out there, people who could make a difference but to whom the corporate world cannot (because of a lack of talent in the PR department!) see because they don't have 12 years of experience, 30 certificates and 300 examples of billion line code stringing after them...
This is what is currently stifling us. The talent is there but the experience requirements are too high and certification requirements are too stringent. Most of what the all rounders know comes from hands on, digging in the bowels of systems they either build themselves or for some odd reason get a chance to dig around in. This includes folks who download Windows Server illegally to toy around with etc...
It is a weird world and business will have to get funky if they want to meet Alice in Wonderland!
Want proof ? Then get some. If you got the stuff to do the stuff then spend the time to get the certs. If you can't be bothered then I, as a employer, already know enough about you.... In this country we already have a big problem with tolerance towards mediocrity and a cowboy attitude leads to cowboy code. "Talent" in this case also includes the ability to prove that talent by playing the PHB's game, that includes getting certs. Sorry.
Yes, I've personally experienced the fact that AA at HR is a very effective anti-skillz filter . Up until very recently I believed that normal market pressures will highlight the brokenness of unfettered AA and companies will simply start ignoring it for survival's sake factoring in possible BEE fines as part of doing business in SA. I was wrong.
What they should do:
1. Show me the money.
2. Revisit local AA/BEE policies
What you should do
1. Get certs
2. Pack for Perth.
Moederloos
Honorary Master
To get certs for all I know is not only impossible, but very expensive.
That may seem odd - how can it be impossible AND expensive? Well, some certs I can get - and they cost a lot, and other things I know there are no certs for.
My range of skills are large, I could spend the next 3-5 years writing exams. And try and price just one M$ cert - books + exams is easy R2K. EACH.
Well, you are NOT going to get business savvy techies at this rate. The ones who are both start their own businesses and soon enough lose their tech savvy because the management side eats at it. Look at all the small successful startups... They start out as the kind of people business want but cannot recognise, they stay private and become the COMPETITION. Simple but a very healthy life cycle.
The fun part is that you don't need certification to be your own boss.
The reality is, business will either have to start networking sooner at levels they never did before or get HR people in who can get the job done at the right time. This will include letting go of those Sandton poppies who don't know the difference between Linux and their nails. The problem is right there... Those dollas cannot for the life of them start their computer at the office in the morning because they don't know where the power switch is. They are part of the problem. It is easy to read a CV but tough to read the person...
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Yup. I would get my own consultancy going if I were you.
Moederloos
Honorary Master
Heh - I have it cushy.
Own home office - own hours - shares
Of course, the pity is I am trading all that for safety in another country soon.
Heh - I have it cushy.
Own home office - own hours - shares
Of course, the pity is I am trading all that for safety in another country soon.
Good for you man! Good for you!
ToxicBunny
Oi! Leave me out of this...
This article does speak the truth unfortunately, at least in a way.
I have come across many techies that have absolutely NO business sense whatsoever, and no idea of what impact their actions can have on business.
I've spent the last 6 months trying to train the techie who works with me about how technology should work WITH the business... he still battles to get the concept and see how it can work and make his life easier.
Oh I have BCom degree, but I've run my own business, and worked in so many different fields. Maybe I'm the kind of person who will benefit from this "shortage"
I have come across many techies that have absolutely NO business sense whatsoever, and no idea of what impact their actions can have on business.
I've spent the last 6 months trying to train the techie who works with me about how technology should work WITH the business... he still battles to get the concept and see how it can work and make his life easier.
Oh I have BCom degree, but I've run my own business, and worked in so many different fields. Maybe I'm the kind of person who will benefit from this "shortage"
Oh I have BCom degree, but I've run my own business, and worked in so many different fields. Maybe I'm the kind of person who will benefit from this "shortage"
You should!