Optimism for the new wave of Mainframe talent

As we discussed in my last article, multiple factors have created talent gaps to be filled in the mainframe industry, including racial diversity, gender equity and skills shortages.

However, there is a lot to be optimistic about when we envisage the future of this industry!

IBM's Mainframe Skills Council

IBM has long been a major-player when it comes to learning Mainframe skills, originally with 'Master the Mainframe' and now with the Z Xplore Learning Platform.

However, they have recently moved to convene a mainframe skills council.

This platform is meant for the deployment educational / training resources relating to SystemZ

The company also maintains a robust badging and certification ecosphere, notably with Skillsbuild, Interskill Learning and Credly by Pearson ,

Senior Director Analyst Alessandro Galimberti of Gartner has said has “It is a very good program, but ... there is a huge gap now”.

He is right, of course. What makes this talent shortage so concerning is the breadth of skillsets that may become lacking, and the sheer variety of workloads on mainframes that we need people to be capable with.

However, the skills council is a great step in the right direction and it will undoubtedly become a key resource for many businesses and employees alike!

The Business Case for Diversity

Racial diversity and gender equity are factors relating to the talent gaps in our industry.

Thankfully, many businesses are show more solidarity with the areas of DEI and many companies are even investing money into Employee Resource Groups where people can collaborate to a brighter future.

Coinciding with this, numerous studies have repeatedly proven two facts:

1. Diversity is correlated with better performance and financial successes
2. Diversity allows us to better innovate and to drive market growth by challenging our concepts and by encouraging exploration of different insights.

Outside of performance and innovation, diversity helps cultures to grow and thrive, rather than become echo-chambers of like minded people who can't appreciate difference or change.

I want to make it absolutely clear that Diversity, Equity and Inclusion should absolutely not be something seen only as "viable for the sake of profit" because it is far more important from a moral standpoint.

However it's all worth considering when addressing our industry's ongoing skills shortage.

Engagement with Students

Derek Powe, SVP for zArchitecture Computing at M&T Bank, said in a TechChannel article:

"You’re not only having a problem finding people with the skills; you’re not even finding people with enough interest, and that’s why we’re trying to spark that interest."

So what better way to spark interest, than by "striking while the iron is hot" and promoting Mainframe opportunities within educational establishments, such as those listed below:

• Mark Wilson and Ricki West support the Mainframe Student Society, UoW
• IBM have created a Student Ambassadors community with Your Big Year?
• Germanas ?amrickis is a Mainframe Lecturer at the University of Vilnius
• Cameron Seay is an Adjunct Professor at East Carolina University
• Herbert Daly is a Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at University of Hertfordshire
• Mainframe Society are supporting the WAVEZ group for early-in-career mainframers
• I have supported The Bedford College Group with attending GSE UK Region

No matter how you do it, we all prosper when people reach out to establishments and promote our industry - Even if these people don't apply for work on the Mainframe, at least they better understand the industry and the technology.

Schemes for New Talent

Thankfully, many companies are 'putting their money where their mouth is' and are investing hugely into schemes and programs for new talent:

• M&T Bank have internship and tech development programs focused on IBM Z Mainframes
• 博通 has their Workforce Resiliency Programs (like the Vitality Residency program)
• BMC Software has their NextGen program teaching participants with hands-on learning
• Vertali has their New-To-Z Initiative which gradually builds new talent up
• The Open Mainframe Project has a virtual mentorship program used by hundreds each year

In all of these cases where new talent is needed, as with many others case, the companies are taking this seriously and are putting in the time and money that is needed.

Something to look forward to

Not too long ago John McKenny, SVP and Manager of Optimisation & Transformation at BMC Software had said the following:

"In the next two to three years we’re going to see a generational change within the mainframe system ... That's creating more interest and transformative change than I've seen in many years."

He's spot on! Things are going to change for the better ??

If you don't believe me, let's summarise this article:

1. There are many people supporting IBM's Mainframe Skills Council and creating new training materials to be used by their successors
2. Diversity is a topic that companies are paying more attention to, and by championing a diverse workforce they stand to gain increased innovation alongside the new talent
3. There is so much effort being put in towards educational establishments
4. There are so many business backing new schemes/programs to train aspiring mainframers

All of this will absolutely pay off, and I can't wait to be a part of that future.

I think that's a optimistic note to end this on.

Thanks for reading ??