Why is on the job programming training so rare?
Tags: career, programming, coding
Published: 2020-10-26 15:45:38

---
title: Why is on the job programming training so rare?
published: true
description: On the job programming training is sought-after, but seldom offered in any kind of consistent, structurally embedded way. Here's why.
tags: #career #programming #coding
//cover_image: https://direct_url_to_image.jpg
---
![Alt Text](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/i/zrb8rfks2cxgeyv1t0jq.png)
---


<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>On the job programming training is sought-after, but seldom offered in any kind of consistent, structurally embedded way.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Market demand for developers is high. And there’s no shortage of budding or <a href="https://www.parkersoftware.com/blog/5-tips-to-help-new-software-developers-find-their-footing/">would-be developers</a> looking to get a foot on the career ladder. But few programming jobs offer formal, dedicated training and development opportunities.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>While this may sound counter-intuitive, there’s actually a reason why systemic on the job training is so rare in the programming field. Here’s a closer look.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:spacer {"height":20} -->
<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
<!-- /wp:spacer -->

<!-- wp:separator -->
<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>
<!-- /wp:separator -->

<!-- wp:spacer {"height":20} -->
<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
<!-- /wp:spacer -->

<!-- wp:heading {"level":4} -->
<h4>Integral learning</h4>
<!-- /wp:heading -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>First, independent learning is integral to programming. It’s difficult to succeed as a programmer without the drive to self-educate; without unquenchable curiosity on how to solve technical problems.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>As a programmer, you<a href="https://www.parkersoftware.com/blog/a-programmers-work-is-never-done/"> never stop learning</a>. There’s always a new language to dive into, a new framework to master. Competence is something that must be energetically maintained.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>On the job programming training, then, is something that happens naturally and on an individual level. As a programmer, you’ll learn based on what challenge has surfaced that week, or what new feature request has rolled in, or what <a href="https://www.parkersoftware.com/blog/legacy-code-dangers-code-inventory/">legacy codebase</a> needs refactoring.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Learning how to code in a classroom or bootcamp is <a href="https://techbeacon.com/app-dev-testing/bootcamps-wont-make-you-coder-heres-what-will-0">not quite the same</a> as coding in an office environment. The real world hosts a lot more surprises. (And a lot more headaches.)</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>So, formal worksheets and carefully planned training sessions don’t always correlate with the <a href="https://www.parkersoftware.com/blog/the-problem-with-long-term-roadmaps/">ever-changing needs of the business</a>. Instead, your learning will happen organically and altogether more spasmodically.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:spacer {"height":20} -->
<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
<!-- /wp:spacer -->

<!-- wp:separator -->
<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>
<!-- /wp:separator -->

<!-- wp:spacer {"height":20} -->
<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
<!-- /wp:spacer -->

<!-- wp:heading {"level":4} -->
<h4>An egalitarian environment</h4>
<!-- /wp:heading -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Next, development jobs are geared towards people who thrive on self-teaching. And that’s due to the egalitarian nature of programming.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>There’s no doubt that programming is a highly skilled occupation. But it remains one of the few highly skilled occupations that requires no professional certification.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>You <a href="https://www.parkersoftware.com/blog/software-engineer-vs-developer-whats-the-difference/">don’t need a degree</a> to be a programmer – it’s something you can go away and teach yourself with only a computer and an internet connection. (Provided you have the necessary commitment, of course.)</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>So, developers who dedicate their free time and energy to constantly grow become the most successful. On a level playing field, your motivation to continually grow your skillset determines how far you climb.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>And this creates something of an unwritten <a href="https://www.parkersoftware.com/blog/ten-laws-of-software-development/">programming rule</a>. Namely, developers are often expected to be able to think problems through independently.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Rather than on the job programming training, then, the assumption is that a good developer will be able to problem-solve and self-teach on the job.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:spacer {"height":20} -->
<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
<!-- /wp:spacer -->

<!-- wp:separator -->
<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>
<!-- /wp:separator -->

<!-- wp:spacer {"height":20} -->
<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
<!-- /wp:spacer -->

<!-- wp:heading {"level":4} -->
<h4>A lack of resources</h4>
<!-- /wp:heading -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Last, most companies simply aren’t equipped to offer detailed, in-house training when it comes to programming.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>True, they might employ a junior developer and pair them with a senior <a href="https://www.parkersoftware.com/blog/programming-jobs-and-the-age-effect/">mentor</a>. Other times, the company might reimburse you for a book on a new language, or an online training course, perhaps.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>But ultimately, the developer will still have to do much learning by 'doing' in solitude. Very few organisations will have a specialised on the job programming training course in place for developers.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:spacer {"height":20} -->
<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
<!-- /wp:spacer -->

<!-- wp:separator -->
<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>
<!-- /wp:separator -->

<!-- wp:spacer {"height":20} -->
<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
<!-- /wp:spacer -->

<!-- wp:heading {"level":4} -->
<h4>On the job programming training ain’t easy</h4>
<!-- /wp:heading -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>In development, then, it is not quite so easy as to simply train employees on new skills.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>With so much ground to cover, so much <a href="https://www.parkersoftware.com/blog/batman-and-agile-development/">changeability</a>, and so much independent learning required, programming doesn’t naturally lend itself to formal in-house training.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Rather, programmers must train themselves, or risk a gradual erosion of skillset value.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:spacer {"height":20} -->
<div style="height:20px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
<!-- /wp:spacer -->

<!-- wp:separator -->
<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>
<!-- /wp:separator -->

Originally published here: https://www.parkersoftware.com/blog/why-is-on-the-job-programming-training-so-rare/