IBM Systems Magazine, Mainframe - November/December 2017 - 33
TECH SHOWCASE SPONSORED ADVERTISING CONTENT high-tech industry and witnessed outsourcing of jobs, making stability an important issue. This desire for job security can be beneficial to employers because millennials are thinking long term and will commit to building a career with the company. To retain new talent, Schroeder says it's essential to foster a welcoming, supportive and inclusive environment that includes both seasoned mainframers and new hires. One recent IBM hire told Schroeder that, if possible, companies should hire millennials in pairs so the new employees can form bonds while helping each other learn. This forms a team mentality in which the millennials want to support each other while training, socializing and working together. The Future of Mainframe The most important message companies can give to millennials is that working on the mainframe platform is relevant, rewarding and impactful. "I see a lot of enthusiasm and passion from recent hires working on the mainframe," she says. "Millennials can have great careers in mainframe computing. Hire these millennials, they will take your mainframe platforms into the future." Schroeder talked to several recent IBM millennial hires, including Luisa Martinez, Ryan Rawlins and Lili Tang, to get their insights into hiring, training and retention. Brett Martin is a freelance writer based in Shakopee, Minnesota. A Millennial View When Luisa Martinez graduated from State University of New York at New Paltz in May 2014, she weighed multiple offers before accepting a job with a company following an internship. She soon realized that working on web development and in-house applications wasn't as exciting as she'd hoped. So when a professor from her alma mater let her know IBM was hiring, she forwarded her resume. In April 2015, she was hired as a software engineer in UNIX* System Services development. "I was nervous, not knowing about IBM Z* or OS development," Martinez says. "It turns out, I didn't have anything to worry about. The transitioning here has been great. I love what I do and being part of the mainframe community. Everyone here is very willing to help." Martinez enjoys developing and testing OSes, and seeing how her work affects clients. By attending workshops and conferences, she's able to meet other millennials who have similar jobs and talk to customers who use IBM solutions and benefit from her work. "People talk about the issues they've had and how we fixed them. I see the impact of what I do," she says. -B.M. IBM Open Badges Are Transforming Mainframe Workforce Training IBM Z mainframe workforce competency is vital to ongoing organizational success. As such, IBM's release of 35 new, PDLQIUDPHVSHFLÀÃFÃVNLOOÃDQGÃNÃQRZO edge credentials is the most important change in mainframe workforce training in decades. Digital Credentials have revolutionized the way skills and achievements are assessed and promoted. Unlike simple digital emblems and logos, Open Badges are tethered to the achievement using built-in metadata. Importantly, IBM's new Open Badges provide organizations with an ,%0DXWKRUL]HGÃYHULÀÃDEOHÃEHQFKPDUNÃ of IBM Z skills and knowledge. Mainframe organizations EHQHÀÃWÃIURPÃLQFUHDVHGÃRUJD nization performance through exponential increases in training participation; completions and results; and improved retention of mainframe talent as recognition increases engagement and retention rates, LQÃDGGLWLRQÃWRÃWKHÃWUXVWHGÃ,%0ÃYHULÀÃ cation and benchmarking of IBM Z mainframe workforce skills. Mainframe personnel empower their IBM Z careers by developing a personal "Z brand," proudly displaying mainframe skills and knowledge to peers and management via social media and corporate communications. Prestigious and coveted, IBM Open Badges motivate, improve and empower mainframe workforces. To get your organization involved in the IBM Open Badge Program, learn more at ibm.biz/badging. Darren Surch COO Americas, Interskill Learning For 25 years, Darren has guided development and delivery of online training that empowers IBM Z mainframe workforces and drives organizational success. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 // 33