The IBM Mainframe (or “IBM Z” as it is now called) has formed the backbone of computing infrastructure for over six decades. It has powered operations across industries and is indispensable for even today’s enterprises, especially in BFSI and other transaction-intensive sectors. However, one of the biggest questions that users of this venerable technology face is: “Who will be around to operate it in the future?”
Thankfully, we are seeing the baton being passed to the new generation of mainframers who are making the technology their own in exciting new ways.
Business-critical entity for modern enterprises
The IBM Mainframe remains at the center of business today. It is a trusted computing platform for 71% of Fortune 500 companies, 43 of the world’s top 50 banks, and 8 of the top 10 payment companies. The fact that this technology remains relevant today, 60 years after it was first made generally available, is a testament to its innovative design, which is founded upon three key elements: Reliability, Availability and Serviceability (RAS). In terms of reliability, according to recent publication by ITIC, the z16 mainframe demonstrated “nine-9s” of reliability (99.9999999% of uptime); that’s less than 32 milliseconds of downtime per server per year. Businesses know that they can trust their most critical workloads to execute on the mainframe 24x7, which has contributed to the longevity of a technology that first debuted during the years when actor Sean Connery portrayed the character James Bond.
Mainframe skill scarcity
Despite their importance to modern business, mainframes have struggled with talent acquisition and nurturing for years. With experienced employees retiring and fewer new recruits entering the field, 79% of companies reported finding qualified mainframe professionals as a significant operational risk, while 71% of mainframe operations teams reported consistent understaffing issues.
The imbalance between the number of departing professionals and new mainframe entrants has resulted in a skills gap for a technology that, contrary to popular belief, is not declining. Instead, it is experiencing growth in specific segments due to its transformation from an isolated technology into an open platform capable of integrating with other technologies within an enterprise's hybrid cloud environment. Despite this skill shortage, 91% of businesses reported that they intend to expand their mainframe operations in 2025, underscoring the urgent need for developing new talent to meet future demands. Efforts to attract and retain new talent are imperative to ensure these machines continue catering to the world’s computing needs.
IBM Z + Gen Z = Success
But all is not lost! As Generation Z enters the professional workforce, they are viewing the mainframe not as a museum relic, but rather as an opportunity to advance their careers in the technology sector. New advancements with the human/mainframe interface are expanding accessibility to the platform, particularly for younger professionals entering the field. Out with the old green-screen 3270 terminal emulators and in with the new modern IDEs and frameworks like Zowe, which simplify interactions with mainframes, making them more user-friendly for newcomers (as well as us “experienced” users).
What’s even more encouraging is that key players in the mainframe arena as well as open-source initiatives are actively developing and maintaining free or low-cost learning programs, further opening the door to newcomers to the IBM Z platform, whether these new entrants are very early in their career or experienced workers looking to make a change. There are many such avenues to upskill on the mainframe, but some of my favorites include:
- The Open Mainframe Project and IBM Z Xplore offer free or low-cost training for individuals interested in developing their skills in mainframe technologies. These training platforms provide hands-on experience alongside theoretical knowledge, making them more appealing to prospective candidates.
- The IBM Z Skills Ecosystem provides more than 700 hours of self-paced learning content that students and new professionals can access to build in-demand mainframe skills. Such resources are vital in developing the talent pool necessary to sustain operations in a technology that remains pivotal to the digital economy.
Raising the new generation of mainframers
HCLTech is actively involved in addressing the skills gap across the mainframe ecosystem. In addition to contributing to the various open-source education projects listed above, HCLTech sponsors university students with internship and/or co-op opportunities to give their careers a jump-start into the IT world. Current HCLTech employees are able to take advantage of our Talent Foundry Program, which provides career advice and formal training opportunities to facilitate a shift into a new career path, such as becoming a mainframer!
By investing in training programs, collaborating with educational institutions and promoting awareness of mainframe careers, HCLTech plays a significant role in bridging the gap between the aging workforce and the new generation of tech-savvy professionals.
For the decades to come
The enduring significance of mainframes in today’s business landscape can’t be overstated. Without focusing on addressing the skills gap, innovating and modernizing related tools and facilitating upskilling and cross-skilling, organizations across sectors risk major operational halts or service disruptions. Addressing these concerns is the key to leveraging the timeless innovation called mainframes for the decades to come.
