Computer Industry Recruitment Failures 1. The Intro
Or, “Pineapples in Denmark”. I wrote this maybe in 2016. By policy, we are all evolving forward and for the better. I’ve dropped in some notes, because time of writing was six years ago. But I publish anyhow. If you like, treat it as historical snapshot. You decide if it’s relevant.
Intro
In about 2014–2015, an idea escaped from a professional world. Doesn’t happen much. A year later, junior doctors went on strike. The news media acted bewildered, the government protested. But the idea was a little calm one. Reputedly, England had a shortage of computer programmers.
I don’t have access to the facts I need. But here’s my thoughts. First…
Nomenclature
Throughout this discussion I’m avoiding the presented statement about ‘computer programmers’.
Once upon a time there was a great need for a person called a ‘systems analyst’. These are people who evaluate a company to see how a computer can be integrated. The increased power and availability of computers, and development of computer programs into more general devices has cut down on these roles. But they still exist. And, let me present the ‘systems administrator’, a person who looks after computers for a firm—keeps all the software updated, sees everyone gets what is requested. That role is not a ‘computer programmer’. Systems administrators know a lot more about computer boxes and wiring. When they program, which they do some, it’s in different languages.
Point is, far as I can see, which is not far, but far as I can see… if there is a lack, it will be of computing personnel. That would include ‘systems analysts’, ‘systems administrators’, even people to change the paper in photocopiers, well as ’computer programmers‘ (usually called a ‘developer’). So, throughout these pages, I talk about ‘computing personnel’. Sometimes, when I need to talk about society and attitudes, I talk about ‘computer professionals’.
This may be all a gross misunderstanding. But, plainly, I suspect the misunderstanding lies elsewhere.
Onwards, Next