Return to IT and contracting?

[Paul Durkan]

Hi,

I'm a former C, RDBMS, UNIX programmer, that has spent the last 15 years working up in trees.

With age and injuries, I'm looking to return to IT and contracting. I've 'kept my eye in' a bit.

I guess I need to learn new programming languages - and a flavour of C++ seems most obvious, but I'm interested in which languages and skills members think I should learn in order to get regular contracts?

Thanks in advance
Paul

[DimPrawn]

Hi Paul,

Make most sense to take a permie job first, one that can provide some free training in something modern and build up a couple of years of experience in it.

15 is quite some gap on the IT contractor CV. Most clients look horrified at a months gap these days, or even having a day off in 15 years.

[northernladuk]

How to use internet forums properly would be a good skill to start with.

It appears you can speak Swedish and French though. That might be useful.