I have a lot of respect for Bill Gates. He is a very smart computer/software subject matter expert. He has earned billiions while my earnings and successes have been much more modest. I do not agree with him on this report because I have seen with my own eyes something very contradictory to his pronouncements. When I worked for Total Systems Services (TSYS), a subsidiary of Synovus Bank and Trust, in Columbus Georgia I saw for myself the genius of Americans believing in and investing in America. PROBLEM: In 1995-99 TSYS and other regional companies lacked sufficient pool of software engineers to write their code. SITUATION: It was during 1995-98 that I witnessed the enlightened management of Synovus strike a deal with local politicians, University Academics, and employees. Synovus executives got Columbus State University to create a two year curriculum to turn out software engineers sufficient for TSYSs needs. I recall in 1996 more than 2,000 local people taking the IBM Computer Aptitude test for one of 100 student positions. There was a new test every year and a new class every year for the 3 years I was there. The students were paid while they learned. Upon graduation they were offered positions at TSYS, Synovus, and AFLAC and other local/regional businesses. They owed two years of work at 75% of software engineering wages before they were free agents. Some left to go to Atlanta to make more money but many stayed. The immigrants brought in from Russia and India (about 60) were very good and during the first two years, while the students were in school, provided needed expertise. About half way through, one day almost 30 immigrants disappeared. It was rumored they went anywhere else for better wages. It was an insult to the manager who created the program and opportunity for immigrants. No more were imported in that quantity after that. RESULT/MORAL: Immigrants were ungrateful and did not stay unless closely watched. Paying them less while learning and indentured was not good. Creating opportunity for local Americans for gainful employment and education was a winning policy. SUGGESTION: Continue the program or resurrect it. Pay the new graduates 80% of current SW Eng wages the first year and 90% the second year and Full wages the third year. dailycaller/2014/03/17/gates-tax-consumption-to-fix-unemployment-caused-by-technology-video/
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 19:19:50 +0000
Trending Topics
© 2015