What Use is OCP? Plenty!

I followed with interest the previous post on OCP and whether it was worth it. The consensus from the experts was that no, it wasn't worth it. I beg to differ.

You only need to peruse the lists here on Google pertaining to Oracle or follow any of the other Oracle lists to see there is a great lack of knowledge of fundamentals, theory and basic facts about Oracle. The very thing the experts complain the OCP tests. Are the tests perfect? Hell no. Will they ever be? Not until you can guarantee 100% accuracy, every candidate fulfills the prerequisites and no one can possible pass by books alone. In short, an impossible task.

I am afraid the idea that we could set up a viable internship program for Oracle DBAs is a bit naive. Who, may I ask, will pay for it? Shall we have a United DBA Internship Fund? The UDIF? Companies won't, even if it is in their best interest.

I also have to laugh every time someone complains about Oracle requiring a hands on test for the Oracle Master and a hands on instructor lead course for the new OCP for DBA, aren't these the very things we have said where left out of the original OCP? Come on, we can't have it both ways.

A thought, how about an independent certification program run by the user group...oops, already tried that and couldn't get an ounce of support from anyone.

Perhaps instead of tearing our clothes, putting ashes on our foreheads and declaring the death of the true Oracle professional we should be policing our ranks, insisting on certification and ask that Oracle include a required experience level before showing up for the exam. Perhaps require that the applicant provide a filled in form from their employer certifying that they have used Oracle for at least X amount of time.

How many of you experts are willing to donate time to pre-interview candidates? Or do you expect Oracle to do this for free?

I believe the OCP is a mark in the sand, it states the person was willing to take the time to learn and apply that learning to a test. Does it mean hand over a database that is mission critical? Nope. Does it mean hire them over someone with demonstrated ability and experience? Nope. It is a foot in the door, a penny on the scale in their favor, all other things being equal.

Bashing something because it isn't perfect is counter productive, why not encourage change from within?

Mike Ault Received on Sun Sep 29 2002 - 12:29:14 CDT