The Most Prized Species

Programmers themselves in the meantime appearedhighlights a need for more high standard training
too many companies to belong to a very rare andfacilities, which are urgently and universally required.
prized species. "Where is a good programmer whereThe main problem here is who is to foot he bill.
you need one's" as the pet woe-cry of many a goodWhereas some companies still offer to train and
and worthwhile firm, intent on retainingretain staff, the ones hoping to recruit form among
ultra-efficiency and international credibility in the neverthe crème deal crème of the already highly
ending upward mobile markets. This is the situationskilled, could be in far a bit of a shock when the
on the worldwide scene but the trend is nowhererealization dawns that prospective company
more noticeable than in the United Kingdom. It isprogrammers have got even better elsewhere. All in
interesting to note that traditionally it used to be said,all, it is still an excellent investment to have a
with tongue in cheek, that if something happens incompany policy which avails top level training
the US, the UK follows is lead some six months later.schemes for the ablest candidates as a backup to
Though still possibly relevant when applied toprocuring already fully-qualified and up-to-date
weather-conditions, the high-speed movement whichprogramming personnel.
has become characteristic within the IT industry hasThere have also been reports of companies offering
put paid to the time-lapse within all sectors of thesubstantial pay increases in order to retain existing
software industry; and the millennium Eventstaff and offering even larger amounts for
happened almost instantaneously at least arguably onrecruitment. For the year 2001, staff shortages are
the same day, meant that there is greater uniformityexpected in the areas of sales, Java, C++ and DB
all round.skills. This again highlights the importance of training
Interestingly enough, the status and urgent call foras a necessary requirement of maintain skill levels in
programmers has continued well after the Millenniumthe ever-developing IT industry.
Bug turned out to be little more than a piece ofThere is a serious shortage of high quality staff to fill
quasi-intelligent paranoia and demand matched financialthe growing number of vacancies. JAVA, VB, and
reward throughout the last year, according to theC++ programmers are in short supply and are able to
Software Industry Salary Survey by BASDA (thecommand significant increases in salary. A lot of
Business Application Software Developers'financial carrots are even being offered to entice
Association). Salaries till remain refreshingly highstaff to change companies. And they are succeeding
compared to all other sectors of industry.to attract good programmers to switch companies,
Demand is still increasing and has not been bet byplaces and positions, leaving great gaps waiting to be
adequate numbers of highly qualified staff. Thisfilled.