IT contractors with mainframe experience could be interested to learn that a lot of CIOs are worried about a shortage of talent in the future.
Compuware surveyed 520 chief information officers and 71% of them said they expect there to be a skills shortage relating to running their company’s mainframe. The respondents warned that this shortage could potentially damage their entire business.
The knock-on affects of a skills shortage could lead to an increased application risk, projects overrunning and reduced productivity.
Compuware’s European mainframe director, Neil Richards, said that all CIOs with responsibility for mainframe business will encounter some sort of problems in the future. Companies could have several experts who know an application inside out but what happens if they all retire within the next few years? That has to be seen as a huge risk to the business.
He went on to say that many firms are unaware of the dangers they face. The majority of mainframe applications were built in the 1960s and 70s. Over the years, they’ve been extended and are now complicated and hard to understand. Employers could find it extremely difficult to replace the skills and experience of the current staff.
Mr Richards explained that there is a huge difference between knowledge of mainframes and knowledge of applications. Mainframe experts understand the business logic of applications and how the whole system fits together. That knowledge is irreplaceable and companies should be starting to come up with a back-up plan in case their experts retire or leave for pastures new.
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Image: Pressure by kevin dooley
