ETA: summary…
Author describes how agentic coding tools have disincentivized the developer training and mentorship pipeline that the software industry has implicitly relied on to produce seasoned developers, predicting that once the shortage is fully realized it could take years to reverse.
The solution proposed is for managers and senior developers to get ahead of this shortage by foregoing the immediate yet shortlived productivity maximization offered by the agent-multiplied-senior structure in favor of longterm sustainability by deliberately facilitating experience fan-out to juniors.
The methodology proposed is based on a successful nuclear engineering apprenticeship program carried out on active service naval submarines.
When can they come for the business side?
If agents are good enough to operate as “drones” and tools for senior devs, it seems like they could automate/clean up the dysfunction I see over deciding what software should be made, and the complications on that end.
For example, instead of long meetings on the minutia of features, maybe agents could communicate amongst themselves, with structured access to company documentation, and present distilled recommendations for humans to review?
…Or maybe I’m rambling.