Existing DBAs can do their part by encouraging their employers to hire new IT graduates to pair with them. I've had opportunites to train new graduates and I find it rewarding. New grads paired with a seasoned DBA provides the best possible training. I suggest one year side by side apprenticeships. The apprentice needs to be aware that he/she is there to learn and during the course of the year they should be working to obtain their database certifications. We all know that college graduates believe they are ready to walk into the workforce and use their education. Unfortunately, there isn't much that is learned in college that prepares a student for a career as a DBA. When I am looking for someone to train, I look for someone who has maintained a 3.5 GPA or higher simply because they have exhibited the desire to learn and the ability to comprehend.

Our reward for providing this training to another is to enjoy the enthusiam the new DBA brings to the table. They enjoy working on new things. They aren't tired of being called at 1:00am (yet) and Saturdays. They provide us the break from 24x7 on-call that we need.

It takes a special person to become a DBA. Grow your own.