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IT professional in a modern control room working with mainframe system interfaces, representing hands-on training for IBM Z system programmers.

Mainframe System Programmer Bootcamp

Train your system programmers to manage, configure, and support IBM Z environments

LearnQuest’s structured bootcamp equips your team with the foundational and advanced skills needed to install and maintain z/OS, configure Sysplex environments, tune performance, and manage systems-level operations.

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IBM Global Training Provider and multi-award winner for training excellence.

Why Train Mainframe System Programmers?

System programmers play a critical role in maintaining the integrity, performance, and security of your IBM Z infrastructure. But as experienced staff retire, many organizations are left with knowledge gaps that affect resilience and modernization efforts.

This bootcamp builds the skills your team needs to support system software, manage hardware interfaces, apply maintenance, and troubleshoot complex z/OS environments with confidence.

Learn more about this program or explore related mainframe training paths.


71%

of Fortune 500 companies still rely on IBM Z


92

of the top 100 banks and all top 10 global insurers run their core systems on mainframes


68%

of the world’s production IT workloads are processed on mainframes, yet they account for only 6% of IT spend


70%

of Mainframe professionals have over 20 years of experience, signaling a fast-approaching retirement wave


775–850

billion lines

of COBOL remain in active use worldwide, including in finance, government, and logistics


These statistics are compiled from leading industry research organizations including Open Mainframe Project, Micro Focus/Vanson Bourne global surveys, Forrester Research benchmarking studies, Deloitte workforce analysis, and IBM adoption metrics. This multi-source approach provides comprehensive validation of the mainframe skills urgency across different research methodologies and timeframes.

30+ Years Supporting Mainframe Teams Across Industries

LearnQuest has provided authorized mainframe training for more than 30 years, supporting over 100 enterprise clients across finance, insurance, healthcare, logistics, and government.

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Curriculum Overview

The System Programmer Bootcamp focuses on the tasks required to install, configure, and maintain IBM Z systems. The program includes hands-on labs, instructor-led training, and weekly checkpoints to build operational fluency.

Core Topics

z/OS Facilities

Understand the core structure of z/OS, including address spaces, storage management, and workload control.

z/OS System Services Structure

Explore how z/OS components interact through services, control blocks, and internal structures.

SMP/E for z/OS Workshop

Learn how to use IBM’s System Modification Program/Extended (SMP/E) to install and maintain z/OS software.

REXX Programming Workshop

Automate system tasks and scripting processes with the REXX language in a mainframe environment.

Hardware Management Console (HMC) Operations

Manage system partitions and control IPL and shutdown processes using the HMC interface.

Parallel Sysplex Implementation

Learn how to configure and implement Parallel Sysplex for workload balancing and high availability.

Sysplex Operations

Gain operational experience managing Sysplex environments, including messaging, logging, and recovery.

Basic z/OS Tuning with Workload Manager

Learn the fundamentals of system performance tuning using IBM’s Workload Manager (WLM).

Optional Modules

Advanced Performance and Tuning

Dive deeper into performance metrics, tuning strategies, and workload optimization in production environments.

Additional HMC Operations

Extend your knowledge of HMC tasks, including enhanced system configuration and resource management.

z/OS Management Facility (z/OSMF) Use

Use the z/OSMF interface to manage software, workflows, and system operations through a web-based portal.

Assembler Language Coding Workshop

Learn to write basic Assembler programs, understand z/Architecture fundamentals, and interact with system-level functions.

Advanced Assembler Language Coding Workshop

Build on foundational skills to write more complex Assembler code, implement system exits, and explore performance-critical routines.


Need to include internal tools or workflows?

Request Curriculum Customization →

Full Immersion. Systems-Ready.

The bootcamp follows a three-phase progression:

Foundations of z/OS

  • ISPF navigation and system structure
  • JCL and job execution
  • Introduction to SMP/E and system customization

Maintenance and Operations

  • Command usage for system-level activities
  • HMC interface training
  • JCL utilities and recovery basics

Sysplex Configuration and Performance

  • Implementing and operating Parallel Sysplex environments
  • Performance tuning using WLM
  • Troubleshooting and recovery scenarios

Want a closer look at the weekly structure?

We’ll walk you through the full program. Contact us →

Learning Support Throughout

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  • Cumulative Project Work
    Learners document configuration tasks and test them in lab environments
  • Weekly Assessments
    Track mastery of topics and technical readiness
  • Mentoring and Coaching
    Ongoing access to expert instructors
  • Pre-Bootcamp Orientation
    Optional overview sessions for context and confidence

Curious how we support learners throughout the process?

Learn About Our Instructor Support →

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Delivery Options

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  • On-Site Training
    Delivered at your location. Use your infrastructure or let LearnQuest provide everything.
  • Virtual Training
    Live instruction and labs delivered through our virtual platform. No travel or setup required.

More than 75% of organizations choose LearnQuest-hosted environments to minimize IT overhead and simplify setup.

Not sure which delivery model is right for your team?

Find the Right Delivery Model for Your Team →

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Who Should Attend?

Professionals at different career stages collaborating in a modern tech training environment, representing new hires, junior developers, and analysts preparing for mainframe roles.

This program is designed for:

  • New hires joining system programming teams
  • Internal staff transitioning into infrastructure roles
  • Junior sysadmins ready for advanced responsibilities

Whether learners are experienced in mainframe support or new to z/OS, this bootcamp builds technical depth and operational readiness.

Need help evaluating whether this program fits your team?

Check Candidate Fit with a Training Advisor →

Professionals at different career stages collaborating in a modern tech training environment, representing new hires, junior developers, and analysts preparing for mainframe roles.

Benefits for Your Team and Business

Brandon Hall and SHRM research show that structured onboarding improves productivity by 70% and retention by up to 82%. This bootcamp is built with those outcomes in mind.

For Learners

  • End-to-end system programming knowledge
  • Labs aligned to real-world architecture and challenges
  • Peer interaction and guided project work
  • Readiness to contribute to installation, maintenance, and tuning

For Employers

  • Clear visibility into learner progress and skills
  • Faster, more reliable onboarding
  • Alignment with internal tooling and processes
  • Reduction in single-point-of-failure risk for legacy systems

Want to align this bootcamp to your business goals?

Discuss Your Team’s Training Needs →

Get Expert Help with Mainframe Upskilling

Tell us what your team needs. We’ll help you define a training path, align it with your architecture, and prepare your next generation of system programmers. Start by completing the form below. A LearnQuest advisor will follow up with a personalized training plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can it be customized to our environment?

Yes. We regularly tailor content to customer tooling, automation, and policies.

Is prior mainframe experience required?

No, but a technical background is recommended. We support both new and growing system programmers.

What delivery formats are available?

Instructor-led training is available on-site or virtually. Most clients use LearnQuest-hosted systems for convenience.

What’s included?

Course materials, lab access, mentoring, assessments, and optional pre-training preparation.

Need more Information?

Speak with our training specialists to continue your learning journey.

 

Delivery Formats

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