By Michael Vincetic, Practice Leader, Cloud & Core Enterprise/zCloud for Kyndryl Australia and New Zealand
At the heart of global commerce and public services lies a technological powerhouse that has stood the test of time: the mainframe. For six decades, these systems have powered everyday tasks like government services, banking, and processing billions of dollars in transactions. Recent data from Kyndryl’s State of Mainframe Modernisation Survey reveals that 59% of Australian organisations expect their mainframe usage to increase in the next 12 months. What’s more, a third of local businesses indicated that the platform has become a foundation for running artificial intelligence (AI) enabled workloads. As such, the mainframe is as indispensable as ever.
However, this vital technology is facing a growing challenge: a severe shortage of skilled professionals. As nearly half (49%) of the global mainframe workforce reaches retirement age, their decades of knowledge is at risk of being lost. Simultaneously, there's a dearth of new entrants with mainframe expertise, creating a significant talent gap. In fact, 53% of new entrants to the global workforce lack mainframe skills, creating a significant talent deficit. This skills crisis threatens the reliability and future evolution of mainframe systems, particularly as businesses continue to adopt hybrid cloud and AI implementation strategies.
It's clear that this is not just a numbers game: it's a strategic imperative. Here’s how organisations can approach this challenge and future-proof their operations.
1. Embrace the Classroom Revolution
In short, the world needs more people with mainframe skills. The first step to solving the mainframe talent shortage is getting to the root of the problem: education. Organisations should partner with universities and higher education institutions to integrate mainframe technology into IT curricula. Mainframe engineers are in high demand, and the job opportunities are as stable as the technology itself. Investing in education now will not only build a talent pipeline but will also ensure future developers are skilled in COBOL and RPG,REXX,PL/I and JCL.
For 20+ years, Kyndryl has provided training and industry placement for students and graduates from Federation Uni, many of whom continue with Kyndryl or find other meaningful roles in the technology industry. This program builds the pipeline of talent with the mainframe skills Australia’s largest organisations need.
2. Invest in your greatest asset: Your people
Look within your organisation for untapped potential. Encourage your current staff to learn mainframe programming languages. This can be a more cost-effective method and can also boost engagement and loyalty. However, when linked to larger business objectives or digital transformation initiatives, reskilling programs can impact ROI more dramatically and help to safeguard your company’s future in the digital world.
3. Make AI your newest mainframe ally
The future is here and it speaks in code. While AI might not replace human expertise, it’s a tool that can supplement the work of even the most experienced mainframe engineers. For instance, knowledgeable COBOL programmers can use generative AI to correct code syntax or generate more efficient source code.
As the technology evolves, more experts would be able to use generative AI to modernise COBOL code and translate it into Java or other mainframe programming languages.
4. Use cutting-edge tech to attract talent
Developers have a love for challenges, especially when it involves shiny new tools and tech. By integrating advanced technologies into your mainframe environments, you are giving them a reason to stick around and to stay engaged. For example, companies can use AI and machine learning on mainframes to gather real-time operational insights to analyse existing applications, identify anomalies, and improve customer personalisation.
DevSecOps, the unification of application development lifecycles, and a culture of collaboration can also broaden access to mainframe technology. This would happen as the application development processes between those developing for the mainframe and those developing for cloud environments become more united. In some cases, you could also unify the tools being used.
Meanwhile, organisations can use API approaches, which have been around for decades, to connect applications written in older programming languages to newer programming languages. COBOL applications, for instance, are easy to integrate with Java or Python applications. Combining programming languages is an excellent way for more engineers to begin working with mainframes while upskilling on COBOL.
5. Outsource with a purpose
As businesses scramble to modernise their IT environments, many are turning to third-party partners for help. In fact, 77% of organisations are already leveraging external providers for modernisation. But not all partners are created equal. When seeking external help, demand more than just temporary fixes. Ask tough questions such as:
- What’s your approach to mainframe modernisation?
- How does it differ from competitors’ methods?
- Do you provide skills augmentation services to solve immediate issues?
- Will you accept rebadged employees to maintain flexibility while solving challenges?
- Do you offer application management services?
Partners who can answer these questions to your satisfaction can be the catalyst in transforming your mainframe strategy and addressing long-term skills challenges.
The mainframe skills gap is not just a challenge - it’s an opportunity to reimagine how we approach technology and talent development. As we work to close this divide, we are not just maintaining systems but shaping the future of our digital infrastructure. The mainframe’s 60-year legacy is impressive, but with the AI transforming it, its best years might still lie ahead.
