Tech Field Day Delegate Roundtable at SHARE KC 2024

Addressing the Mainframe Skills Gap, a Tech Field Day Extra at SHARE Delegate Roundtable

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This Tech Field Day Delegate Roundtable discussion at SHARE Kansas City 2024, led by Stephen Foskett, focused on addressing the mainframe skills gap. The conversation highlighted the varying perspectives on whether a skills gap truly exists, with some organizations successfully implementing apprenticeship and training programs, while others lag behind. The discussion emphasized that the skills issue is not unique to mainframes but is a broader IT problem. Delegates discussed the importance of creating safe learning environments and the need for hands-on experience with mainframe systems. They also noted the challenges of integrating mainframe training into modern educational curricula due to time constraints and the complexity of the material. The conversation suggested that while larger organizations with substantial resources can address the skills gap more effectively, smaller entities and government agencies often struggle. The panel concluded that the mainframe’s longevity and critical role in modern IT infrastructure necessitate sustained investment in training and development to ensure a steady pipeline of skilled professionals.

Personnel: Stephen Foskett

Reconsidering the Importance of the Mainframe, a Tech Field Day Extra at SHARE Delegate Roundtable

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In this Tech Field Day Delegate Roundtable discussion led by Stephen Foskett at SHARE Kansas City 2024, the delegates explored the enduring relevance of mainframes in modern IT. Foskett initiated the conversation by questioning the necessity and continued importance of mainframes. The delegates highlighted that mainframes remain crucial for certain applications due to their unique qualities such as high security, performance, and reliability, which are essential for specific business needs like those of airlines and financial institutions. The discussion underscored that while mainframes are not suitable for all workloads, they are indispensable for tasks requiring millisecond response times and high transaction rates. The delegates also emphasized the importance of making decisions based on business requirements rather than technological trends, criticizing the industry’s tendency to adopt new technologies like Kubernetes or cloud solutions without fully considering their appropriateness. They pointed out that procurement decisions often prioritize cost over technical suitability, leading to suboptimal outcomes. The conversation also touched on the risks of centralization and the need for better alignment between technical and business teams to ensure the right platform is chosen for each application.

Personnel: Stephen Foskett