From: rafiq@silver.cs.umanitoba.ca (Salik Rafiq)
Subject: Re: CS Job Market: What Is The Story?
Organization: Computer Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
Date: Thu, 9 Apr 1992 00:39:24 GMT

In article <8181-PCNews-124beta@jacc.com> jcarroll@jacc.com writes:
>870086t@aucs.acadiau.ca (Shannon Tremblay @ Acadia University) once wrote....
>>
>>
>>I recently read an article in "DIRECT ACCESS", March27, 1992, top of page 6;
>>for those who what to check for themselves.  The article is called 
>>"Crisis Situation" and speaks of a report, called "Software and National Competitiveness: Human Resource Issues and Opportunities," funded by Employment and
>>Immigration Canada and co-sponsored by  CATA and CIPS.
>>
>>In the article it is suggested that there is currently a shortage of software
>>workers that could reach over 14000 by 1995.
>>
>>
>>****
>>
>>MY QUESTION IS THIS
>>
>>What is the sensus for the rest of the country?  Are the jobs available?
>>Am I simply looking in the wrong places?
>>
>>Based on the numbers from the article I read, I would expect companies to 
>>be breaking down the doors trying to hire graduating students.
>>
>>
>
>What are companies looking for? People who can program in C; people who
>can put together applications using API's; people who can integrate
>Novell networks and other assorted stuff.....
>
>Somehow, the educational system is relying on the curriculum of the 80's
>and Corporate Canada has moved into the 90's.
>
There was an article just last week in the Winnipeg Free Press with
stated that University weren't putting out students with the skills 
that local software houses wanted. The Universities were putting out
skills for the larger companies with mainframes etc.

I nearly puked, what a crock. After 4 years of blood and sweat you'd
think that I could pick up any skill in the universe. University
curiculums(sp) are designed to put out well rounded students who can
think and learn quickly. What's needed are training programs to bring
their skills up to the particular company's needs. I get the feeling
that most of the software shops hope that someone else will pay the
bill - either the gov. or his/her previous employer. Remember that of
all developed countries Canada spends perhaps the least amount on 
training and retraining - certainly less than the US and Japan. So whats
with Coporate Canada? I've sent out resumes where the skills requested
were a perfect match with my skills, with no reply or a polite "Thanks,
but no thanks, were looking for someone with 5 years experience." 

As for the 14000 jobs in 1995, I suspect that most of these will not be
filled, or filled by experienced foreigners (ah HAH!) :-)
At any rate, Canada will fall further and further behind in technical
skills if we don't get our act together and give recent grads training
and -at least- a chance to prove ourselves. 

>I understand I am probably opening up some flames here.
maybe just a bunsun burner ;-)

> However, I regularly
>see companies looking for network specialists, PC skills, integration 
>skills, etc. I see fewer companies looking for traditional DP mindsets....

True, the industry is slowly moving to open systems, but mainframes
and COBOL will still be around for years to come.

I hope that these comments don't ruin a chance for me to get a job 
with anyone reading this. 

Salik.
"Damn it Jim, I'm a doctor not an employment councilor!"

-- 
Now a 1/4 century old.    	     Its nice to know I'm "not a high priority".
Salik Rafiq                          At least I know where I stand!
Department of Computer Science   	    Internet:rafiq@cs.UManitoba.CA
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg,Manitoba   BITNET:rafiq@UOFMCC     ph#:474-8313
Newsgroups: can.general