Trouble Filling Java Jobs -- no wonder... to me

Hello,

Don Brady writes:
 > I have posted two positions to the Jug job list, and also on the web site, 
 > on behalf of a Raleigh Insurance company.
 > 
 > I am a little puzzled that we have got relatively few applicants.
 > 

It would be interesting to know what "Java skills" - on the (very)
long Java-skills laundry-lists I am seeing in job-postings - are
actually valued and expected.

Also, I would be interested to know of any employer valuing
O-O/XP/software-engineering skills in other languages other than Java -
Python, C++, etc - are encouraging or actually hiring folks to "make
the jump" to Java/J2EE/whatever ;) 

As a former (and thankful to be) WebSphere Admin for a fortune 100
company, I saw a lot of weak Java programmers.  They didn't seem to
use the resources available to them - great books, sample code, best
practices articles, etc - to make any attempts to improve their skills
and code quality.  The results were very predictable, when the code
hit Production app-servers.  It really made my life "Heck" :( :(

Worth a discussion, think.

thank you,
----mark 

Don Brady writes:
 > I have posted two positions to the Jug job list, and also on the web site, 
 > on behalf of a Raleigh Insurance company.
 > 
 > I am a little puzzled that we have got relatively few applicants.
 > 
 > They are looking to fill two remaining permanent positions - one for a Java 
 > Developer with very broad knowledge of Java-related  technologies, and the 
 > other for a WebSphere Administrator with a Java background (they could 
 > probably train on WebSphere for the latter one if needed, as long as the 
 > Java background is there).  Both need excellent communications skills.  By 
 > the way, anyone is welcome to email me in confidence for more 
 > information  (no agencies or consultants please).  The salary is mid-range.
 > 
 > With a the exceptions of a couple of very fine individuals (they hired 
 > one), those we have interviewed seemed to lack Java breadth and depth.
 > 
 > Is there a shortage of such skills in the Triangle?
 > 
 > 
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