What is Mainframe Technology?
Mainframe systems support the global economy by processing vast volumes of transactions with high reliability and are at the core of crucial processes such as banking payments, insurance, healthcare and government services, airline reservations, and more. According to Forbes and NETWORKWORLD, over 90% of the world’s credit cards are processed via mainframe systems, and 71% of Fortune 500 companies rely on them for key operations.
Despite their strategic role, few specialists today master mainframe technologies. The programming language COBOL, created over 60 years ago, is not a priority in educational institutions, and many of the experts in this field are in the late stages of their careers. New generations of programmers lean towards more current technologies, but the fact remains: more than 220 billion lines of COBOL code are actively used worldwide, supporting critical business processes globally.
As the demand for mainframe expertise grows, companies worldwide face significant challenges in finding qualified trainers who can transfer this highly specialized knowledge. The field requires deep, hands-on experience, and the pool of professionals capable of teaching it is extremely limited. Through the 11-day academy organized by ITCE for DXC Technology Bulgaria, their specialists were able to build targeted skills and practical capabilities aligned with the highest industry standards.
How we did it?
Mainframe systems, an IT specialty often overlooked by young professionals, have faced a shortage of qualified trainers for many years. DXC Technology Bulgaria had been seeking a high-quality training solution for over a year, and ITCE, through its partnership with LLPA, succeeded in bringing two of the most experienced experts in the field, Mark Feven and Matt Nation.
During the 11-day intensive program held at SpaceAssembly, participants received both solid theoretical preparation and practical guidance shaped by real industry challenges. Alongside the two instructors who were once competitors and now share their combined knowledge, Martin Underwood joined the team as a specialist brought in by ITCE. Together they collaborated with us to develop a comprehensive and practical program grounded in industry best practices and real-world scenarios.
DXC Technology Bulgaria shared that investing in focused training and mentorship has not only strengthened the skills of their specialists but also established a strong foundation for future innovation and sustainable team growth. This initiative demonstrates that even in such a niche field, Bulgaria can cultivate and grow world-class expertise.
We are happy to partner with DXC Technology Bulgaria and truly value their trust, along with the exceptional instructors who helped us deliver this intensive program and develop specialists committed to growing their IT careers in Bulgaria.
Resources:
Mainframe turns 60 with no plans for retirement
Are Banks Breaking Up With Mainframes?
IEEE Spectrum