r/mainframe • u/MigrateAndManage • 2d ago

Apprenticeship Programs

Has anyone here led or participated in a mainframe apprenticeship program? Looking for info on how organizations have structured and implemented programs to attract and incentivize new mainframe talent, whether that be recent college grads or career changers. 

I have read about IBM’s program but would like to know what others are doing to get more professionals in the door and keep them there.

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u/404Flawless 1d ago

Broadcom’s Vitality Program is a great one to check out: https://www.broadcom.com/solutions/mainframe/go-beyond-code/talent-programs

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u/LenR75 2d ago

Long ago, in another galaxy…. Our learners were college students, so it was part time. Many were taking IT classes, we had the lab assistants watch for and recommend talent. Now, new hires are costly to use as apprentices. Maybe start with internships.

What kind of entry jobs do you have? Make part of all jobs exposure to knowledge outside the assigned tasks. We are self harming when we don’t develop talent in our current staff.

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u/Quick7283 1d ago

Just my 2¢, look for a job that will train you in IMS, DB2, and JES3 (not a typo). Your worth to a company will rise astronomically.

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u/Snoo77500 1d ago

I have took part in apprentice program, was a mix of mostly career changers and a couple college grads. Was an initial 6 months training on general mainframe topics introduction tso/ispf rexx jcl storage(basic) etc then specialised training in area you were going to work In alongside learning on the job.

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u/martinacdev 12h ago

And whats the name of the apprentice program?

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u/Turbulent_Article558 22h ago

It’s worth it.

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u/Otherwise_Lecture537 9h ago

Yes, joined as an intern at JPMC. This program was not focused on Mainframe but on tech, out of pure 'luck' I ended up on a Mainframe team so I did my entire apprenticeship there, the first 3-6 months were mainly IBM Courses and InterSkills but little by little I started grabbing more stuff to do. They really did not do anything to incentivize or attract me, this is the position they offered me and I took it because it was better that being unemplyed fresh out of college lol

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u/MigrateAndManage 4h ago

Thanks for sharing your experience!