The last time I had any involvement with degree courses they tended to
be more academic in nature than real world business applications.
That caused me to create a learning program that trained the usage of
programming languages we used in the commercial area as well as usage of
method not previous known at uni.
Languages then was Cobol, C, Assembler (light into), and others as required.
These days and again with m/f in total mind Cobol would still be there
as existing system maintenance is always on the go and the existing
Cobol programming people are at retirement age - yes myself well
included but still get freelance work when sites need me even if only
for compiler or platform migration work.
Next is the usage of the tools used on a m/f starting with ISPF, JCL,
TSO, Clists, etc and *nix as applied to z/OS or OS/390 (they are still
around). Also needed is solid exp. of analysis both at system and
program, function levels and testing from use case, unit to program,
system, white and black box.
Without these at a minimum they require heaving investment in training
that business are not always geared up to do well !
The above does not mean limited training but solid experience gained
during the full training cycle over say 2 - 3 years where access to a
m/f (mainframe) is fully utilised.
Vince
On 04/10/16 10:13, Mike Wawiorko wrote:
Sent on behalf of the UK GSE Mainframe Skills & Learning Group to both IBM-MAIN
and IBMTCP-L so apologies if you see this twice.
Please address any replies direct to Ian Skellern.
The GSE Mainframe Skills & Learning Group are currently working very closely
with the University of Bedfordshire to try and exploit the Apprenticeship Levy in
order to create a UK BSc (Hons) Apprenticeship Degree in Mainframe in time for the
start of next Academic year in Sept 2017. In order to ensure the success of this
initiative (and to make it a reality), I am also looking around the Mainframe
community to try and gauge interest and, hopefully, secure commitment from other
companies , There is a minimum number of companies that have to commit to taking
Apprentices to make into a reality.
Assuming that you have similar issues around Mainframe succession planning as
most other companies - is this initiative something that you would be
interested in (or alternatively put me into contact with someone who may be) ?
We are still very much in the planning stage so it is also an opportunity for
you to help to shape the Apprenticeship degree
Please feel free to contact GSE MS&L chairman, Ian Skellern
([email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>) for more details or
alternatively if you are able to attend GSE on the 2nd November, this will effectively be the
theme of Mainframe Skills & Learning stream.
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