Reply to: Back to school?

[Scrag Meister]

My main skillset is Excel VBA and SQL.

I have been fortunate in my current contract to be able to do C#, and am enjoying it.

I am a firm believer that programming is a mindset and not a specific syntax.

There is obviously a learning curve for the syntax and I would guess also OO etc when moving from Cobol.

[dinosaur]

thanks very much for all the comments...greatly appreciated!

[mudskipper]

Of course you should.

I agree. I know the rules are a bit stupid, but I think on this one I'd argue the toss every time.

[Old Greg]

You can claim anything, should you is a different question!

Of course you should.

[DimPrawn]

If I were a DB2 person I'd be playing to that strength and get some targeted training on Data Warehousing, ETL tools, IBM Information Server, InfoSphere Master Data Management etc.

Java devs are 10 a penny from the Asian sub-continent, thanks to CMD begging for more cheap labour to please his pay masters.



This seems a logical and modern progression no?

[SimonMac]

We now need a good argument as to whether or not you can claim these courses back through the company as well

You can claim anything, should you is a different question!

[SimonMac]

The problem being, if after completing the OU course or what ever alternative, you will still be a Mainframe guy who hasn't worked in 18+ months with a bit of paper and little experience.

[Old Greg]

We now need a good argument as to whether or not you can claim these courses back through the company as well

Yes you can claim it.

[NorthWestPerm2Contr]

+1

It is far better, indeed easier, to learn something at the sharp end by doing, than it ever is by reading a book or sitting in a classroom.

I just love those furtive sessions in the mens toilets consulting manuals about a specific real-time problem where the client can't see you're having to do so.

This probably makes the most sense but I would be really impatient in a permie job.... 2 years of prison is how I would view it.

[KentPhilip]

i'd seriously consider getting a permie job in Java or whatever language you prefer. It's much better to learn something and get paid for it (even if it is peanuts).

+1

It is far better, indeed easier, to learn something at the sharp end by doing, than it ever is by reading a book or sitting in a classroom.

I just love those furtive sessions in the mens toilets consulting manuals about a specific real-time problem where the client can't see you're having to do so.

[DimPrawn]

Permie job that expands on what you know.

That way you can earn, study in your spare time and put it all down as experience on your CV.

The pay does not really matter, it's closing the 18 month gap and getting some more relevant experience that counts in these situations.

[TheFaQQer]

A course with an IT training provided will probably be cheaper than an OU module now they've put the prices up. And it will be a networking opportunity too.

Good luck!

This.

If I was looking at Java, I'd be off to Dubai or Goa with Koenig and doing their Java masterclass which covers most of the certifications in one go.

[kingcook]

I'm a mainframe contractor (cobol, db2, ims, cics) ...haven't worked in 18 months.

I'm toying with the idea of doing a Java stand-alone course at the OPen University.
I'd hope to increase my marketability by doing this, but am aware that a study
qualification is unlikely to be viewed in the same laight as commercial experience.

Has anyone else tried this?

It's not cheap so qould like to thi k it wasn't a complete waste of time!

I'm not sure why you're only just starting to look at re-skilling after 18 months of having no work (maybe you have a big warchest?), but anyway, i'd seriously consider getting a permie job in Java or whatever language you prefer. It's much better to learn something and get paid for it (even if it is peanuts).

That's just me though.

[quackhandle]

You could train up for a Microsoft Master Certification.

No, hang on, they've just cancelled them. Well done M$!

qh

[d000hg]

Just to note, Java 6 is probably new enough but I would not reckon OU is a great option, except that it shows you are actively working to learn.

Have you considered looking for permie jobs?

Otherwise it sounds like you want to target companies porting all their old mainframe stuff to PC.