Data from The Futurum Group[1] suggest that the number of people with mainframe skills is growing. Among the employers interviewed, 91% plans to hire talent for new positions related to this type of equipment in the next 1 to 2 years
IBM launched the Mainframe Skills Council to provide a pool where global organizations can foster a skilled, diverse and sustainable workforce for the mainframe platform. In addition to IBM, the Mainframe Skills Council includes the company's customers and partners, academics, user groups, non-profit organizations and open communities who will collaborate to implement solutions focused on developing mainframe skills. Initial Board members include Academic Mainframe Consortium, Albany State University, Broadcom, DNB Bank, HOGENT, M&T Bank, Northern Illinois University, Rocket Software, SHARE and 21CS.
“As the provider of SHARE’s 2024 education and technology platform, IBM is well positioned to address today’s technology skills challenges that all organizations face as new innovations emerge,” said Meredith Stowell, vice president of ecosystem from IBM Z. “The mainframe community has been working to close the mainframe generational skills gap and we have seen substantial progress. The Mainframe Skills Council represents an exciting opportunity to build on these advancements and leverage the community to share experiences and create mainframe talent solutions that can grow with the platform.”
New research confirms industry efforts to increase mainframe skills
As companies adapt to economic market changes and new technological advances, skills are integral to the success of any organization. According to the 2022 IBM Transformation Index: State of Cloud, 56% of companies surveyed have adopted a hybrid cloud model. Because IBM Z is a critical part of many customers' hybrid cloud environments, mainframe skills will be particularly critical to the success of companies as they implement AI, modernize applications, and focus on digital transformation. 
O "Global Mainframe Skills Report 2024: Insights from Industry and Education Experts” from The Futurum Group, shows continued demand for specialized mainframe talent. In 2023, 32% of employers interviewed hired between 11 and 20 mainframe-related employees and 35% recruited more than 20. Additionally, 91% plans to hire talent for new roles over a 1- to 2-year period, investing in and growing IT teams focused on mainframe.
The survey also highlighted the growth of the mainframe workforce as the community works together to develop skills. For example, 83% of the students interviewed are learning mainframe skills through their university[2] and companies are also taking advantage of available resources to find, train and develop talent.
Mainframe Skills Council to inspire, connect, train and develop talent
In addition to offering training, digital credentials With industry-recognized support, academic community support, and training programs for non-traditional trajectories, IBM also provides mainframe skills solutions and knowledge through the broader global community, which includes universities, customers, users, and IBM Z partner groups.
The Mainframe Skills Council brings together organizations to share experiences and collaboratively implement solutions to build a strong global workforce dedicated to the mainframe platform.
IBM Z Skills Programs and Resources
Newly, IBM also introduced the IBM Z Mainframe Skills Depot, a comprehensive platform for accessing mainframe skills training. Learners can choose from specialized role-based training routes such as systems administrator, application developer, or modernization architect and access more than 1,000 hours of hands-on training, free of charge and with the possibility of self-paced advancement to achieve Industry-recognized digital credentials.
IBM offers training programs and resources for non-traditional trajectories that go beyond the classroom, such as the IBM Z Global Skills Accelerator and Apprenticeship. With more than 300 hours of training, coaching and mentoring, the program has enabled 83 global employers to train more than 440 mainframe systems administrators and application developers in 13 countries. Additionally, the IBM Z Student Ambassador program provides leadership opportunities for students and supports mainframe student clubs at more than 95 universities around the world.
To connect mainframe talent with employers, IBM sponsors Virtual Career Fairs to bring talent together with clients and business partners. To participate register here.
