A 1959 programming language, COBOL, is powering global finance and government systems. As experienced programmers retire, companies face a talent crisis. This has created a lucrative opportunity for new developers learning this older skill. Banks and agencies are paying top salaries to maintain these vital systems. AI is also being explored to help manage COBOL code.
I have seen this same “COBOL programmer shortage” story for over a decade now. The alleged shortage is just companies wanting 10+ years of COBOL experience, but almost no hiring of developers switching to COBOL or new graduates. Also, they are not paying a premium.
It’s the same “airline pilot shortage” story, when they really just mean a shortage of senior pilots with all commercial ratings and certified on a specific aircraft. Meanwhile the flight schools are packed full of pilots fighting for low paying regional routes.
“As experienced COBOL programmers retire, companies are scrambling to find people who can maintain the software, creating a surprising opportunity for a new generation of developers.”
What companies are these? I’d love to see the source this article used. Opportunity for a new generation of developers my foot.
Also applies to the medical field. We have a long queue of new graduates from medical field having trouble getting hired and at the same time existing doctors overworked to the bone.
It’s just a fundamental misunderstanding (/greed) on the part of administrators who think “person with job title” = “person with same job title but more experience”. If there were unions for all industries and accepted pay rates/increases then we wouldn’t have this problem. It’s a race to the floor. We’re assuming that college students/HS grads are perfectly informed about the job market and businesses and employees are collectively maintaining the perfect balance of hiring, training and salary equity based on skill and experience… It’s absurd. Our economic system is absolute anarchy. It’s not planned in the slightest and we’re falling behind countries that have more coherent strategies based in data and logic and collective interest instead of greed and self interest. You reap what you sow.
I have seen this same “COBOL programmer shortage” story for over a decade now. The alleged shortage is just companies wanting 10+ years of COBOL experience, but almost no hiring of developers switching to COBOL or new graduates. Also, they are not paying a premium.
It’s the same “airline pilot shortage” story, when they really just mean a shortage of senior pilots with all commercial ratings and certified on a specific aircraft. Meanwhile the flight schools are packed full of pilots fighting for low paying regional routes.
“As experienced COBOL programmers retire, companies are scrambling to find people who can maintain the software, creating a surprising opportunity for a new generation of developers.”
What companies are these? I’d love to see the source this article used. Opportunity for a new generation of developers my foot.
Also applies to the medical field. We have a long queue of new graduates from medical field having trouble getting hired and at the same time existing doctors overworked to the bone.
It’s just a fundamental misunderstanding (/greed) on the part of administrators who think “person with job title” = “person with same job title but more experience”. If there were unions for all industries and accepted pay rates/increases then we wouldn’t have this problem. It’s a race to the floor. We’re assuming that college students/HS grads are perfectly informed about the job market and businesses and employees are collectively maintaining the perfect balance of hiring, training and salary equity based on skill and experience… It’s absurd. Our economic system is absolute anarchy. It’s not planned in the slightest and we’re falling behind countries that have more coherent strategies based in data and logic and collective interest instead of greed and self interest. You reap what you sow.