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Over the course of the last couple of years, our tech team has grown rapidly, we are developing all our tech in-house to replace the legacy AS400 systems.?Consequently, our AS400 team have been reskilling so that they can move into new roles within the business once the legacy systems become obsolete.

These are our experiences so far….

Alan Benfield

Learning: Java is by far the main component, but I've learnt some other skills alongside that: Microservice design, Javascript, AWS, SQL and Springboot.

For the last year or so, we have all been?trying to reskill with the demise of the AS400, which is scheduled for September 2023. We have access to Udemy as well as other online resources. I have been retraining as a Java Backend Developer.?I do an online training session once a week, and we each take a different day so that we can dedicate that day to our development plan.?I have been assigned a buddy in the Supply Chain team, and we have a catch-up once a week which has enabled me to really start using the skills.?Currently, we are in this transition phase where 80% of our time is developing and supporting the AS400 and 20% is trying to integrate with our new teams.?

I wasn’t sure how I would get on with online learning, but it has worked well. ?Although it has been hard to become a novice again, however, the Supply Chain team are really helpful.?They are a team that’s growing rapidly and are very knowledgeable and good at giving up their time to support. It has been brilliant so far.

Neil Smith

Currently learning: Java, HTML, JavaScript, Python.?

Although using it in anger is the real test! Learning new code is not too difficult as it is a variation on a theme. Obviously, there are nuances that you need to know.?The challenge is getting to know how it links to what we want to do.

?In order to prepare for the transition, I am working one week in four in the Order Management Systems (OMS) team, so getting to use new skills in earnest and given tasks that benefit the OMS and the company.?Although whilst it has been peak trading, the priority has been supporting the AS400 systems, I’m looking forwards to refocusing on the OMS in the New Year.

Garry Parkes

Reskilling in Java.?

I enjoy learning online via Udemy as you get to work at your own pace, and?that style of learning suits me. I like the challenge of learning the new syntax, and a different structure, but a lot of the experience I have with RPG400/AS400 is transposable.?Once I have completed my Java course, I will have a platform to start going forward with, and I will be paired with a buddy who will support the tech side.?It is one thing to learn the theory, but applying that theory to real-world business problems is the real challenge!

I have already met some of the team I will be working with at various workshops when we have looked at what the legacy tech does and how the new tech will take over.?My new team also have morning huddles which I attend one or two a week.?So I feel very comfortable.?The timeframes are unclear, as the priority for me is to keep the AS400 running, but I don’t mind because it is a great opportunity.

In terms of moving away from legacy systems, there are still some complexities ahead, but it is delivering results.?As a business, Holland & Barrett are ambitious, has a clear vision and are very much technology based. IT plays a vital part in that vision.

Jas Brach

Currently Learning: Kotlin, Kafka, Gitlab

Since the decision to build our new systems in-house, the business has been helping with cross training us.?I had used Java before in previous roles, so I opted to learn Kotlin, but I haven’t used it in anger yet.?There is always a degree of apprehension about finding your feet in the business using a new language.?I haven’t decided which team to join yet, but I have had some conversations, and one option is Kotlin on RF devices.?When it is all new, though, it’s hard to know, so I would like to do a flavour of things.

John Sloan

I initially started looking at Java itself. Although for my role, I need to look at the higher level, how it integrates, etc.?So I have been working with Ben Murray, who has pointed me in the direction of other resources to help me do that.?I haven’t been able to use my training in earnest yet.

H&B is an empowering organisation, which is the sort of organisation I want to work in.?It has evolved into an agile development delivery approach. It is great to see the changes take place and for my team to be given these opportunities to move across; so many companies would not invest in their people in the same way.?The real advantage to this, it works to everyone’s benefit:?we get the opportunity to keep our career going, move into a different platform and use our new skills, but also, from an organisation’s perspective, we retain their knowledge of H&B within the business and their dedication.

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