GSE UK Lockdown Webinar: We need to talk about mainframe recruitment - urgently!

We are delighted to announce that we’re introducing a free of charge GSE UK Lockdown Webinar Series, designed to help us keep in touch with our members and the wider community: continuing to provide expert content and a forum for discussion at a time when it’s not possible to meet and engage face to face.

Our first webinar will be run by Mark Wilson, GSE UK Interim Region Manager, and Dr Herb Daly, Senior Lecturer in the School of Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Wolverhampton:

Mainframes: understanding the new environment of a post-pandemic world

Date: Wednesday, 6 May 2020
Time: 14:00 UK time
Duration: 60 minutes including Q & A

Kickstart the conversation with decision makers in your organisation
The global response to the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a rethink on how business functions effectively; bringing issues, such as resilience to the fore. In many ways the crisis has highlighted the strengths of systems platformed on the mainframe; on-line payments soared during global lockdowns, but systems and teams have kept pace as demand has scaled. At the same time prominent stories, such as New Jersey Phil Murphy’s urgent request for COBOL programmers, has highlighted both the essential and sometimes fragile nature of the mainframe knowledge and skills.

Amid uncertainty over global supply chains, the re-evaluation of risk factors to business continuity and a new consideration of critical roles in technology, there has never been a better time to make a case for mainframe technology, mainframe professionals and the continued renewal of both. But can we do this practically in a time of crisis? How do we have the conversation that mainframe skills are critical and we need a plan to future proof them against risk? Can we find and engage with potential talent and what have they to offer? What examples can we draw on to recover into a resilient future?

Join Dr Herb Daly to:

• Explore issues raised by the coronavirus emergency and how we can make the case for change
• Discuss resilience in mainframe recruitment, skills and forward planning
• Consider sources of talent and models for sustainable engagement

Our community has discussed this before but there’s never been a better time to communicate these issues more widely and discuss informed ways forward. We need to talk about mainframe recruitment – urgently!

Who will benefit?
This free webinar from GSE UK – the UK arm of Europe’s most influential IBM user group – is for everyone:  people who know and understand the platform alongside newcomers to the platform and anyone else with a vested interest: invite HR, bring a friend, invite your boss!

Book your place below. Then we’ll send you the Webex login meeting details and calendar booking.

Dr Herb Daly is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Wolverhampton. An academic researcher in technical and socio-technical aspects of Enterprise Systems, he is an actively engaged with international initiatives such as the Open Mainframe Project. A regular participant in GSE groups and conferences, he was previously a keynote speaker with the presentation “Reframing the Mainframe: New Generations and Regenerations on System Z”. Herb has a keen interest in developing and onboarding new talent for the platform, mentoring his local Mainframe Student Society (Wolverhampton MaSS). His success and engagement have been recognised by IBM with three IBM Champion Awards for his work with the System Z community.