Our suggested starting point is IBM Z Xplore, a no-charge educational experience that is available year-round to new hires, New to Z professionals, students, and educators, with content continuously being added throughout the year. This platform allows learners to gain hands-on experience across a variety of technologies, develop valuable skills, and earn industry recognized badges – with no prior knowledge required!
Go to this link to start learning about mainframe today and earn your industry-recognized badges – ibm.biz/ibmz-xplore.
IBM Z Skills Fest: Learn, Build, Grow
From August 3-7, 2026, we hosted our annual IBM Z Skills Fest. This year, we focused on showcasing the many career paths available in enterprise technology. Attendees explored real job roles, learned about modern infrastructure, built verified skills, and connected virtually with the global community which is actively accelerating careers in enterprise computing.
If you missed Skills Fest this year, or would like to revisit your favorite sessions, we've got you covered! Visit this link to find the recorded sessions – ibm.biz/skillsfest26-videoreplays.
IBM Z Day is a free 1-day virtual conference open to anyone interested in learning more about enterprise computing. Join us on November 18 from 8 AM – 4:30 PM ET to hear the latest about IBM Z and LinxONE from our amazing lineup of global leaders. You will get the chance to explore industry trends and innovation spanning AI, Hybrid Cloud, Quantum-Safe Security, and more!
You can register for Z Day now at this link - ibm.biz/ibmzday-2026.
While you wait until November, there are many ways to build new skills and get involved with the community.
Join us on October 17-18 for the IBM Z Datathon, a unique opportunity to build AI skills on enterprise grade hardware! Students from around the world will be coming together to work on real-world challenges, connect with peers from around the globe, and receive mentorship from industry experts - all around the theme of tech for good. You can attend virtually or in person at one of eight university locations worldwide.
Tap in to potential employment opportunities and learn more about the kinds of businesses looking for Z skills with the Mainframe Career Depot! Dozens of companies from around the globe are utilizing this platform to fill upcoming mainframe positions. This is the place to be if you are looking to get your start in the world of mainframe! All you need to sign up is your IBM Z Xplore Badge.
For Early Career Mainframe Professionals
New to Z Professional User Group
The New to Z Professional User Group is a thriving community designed for early-tenure mainframe professionals. Join to deepen your technical skills, expand your global network, and engage with experienced mentors and peers who can support your growth, share insights, and help you grow professionally in the mainframe ecosystem.
Visit this link to find local chapters, catch career conversation replays, be informed of our latest events, and much more – ibm.biz/newtoibmz.
The IBM Z Deep Dive Series is a free, monthly, practitioner-focused technical webinar series designed to help professionals deepen their expertise. Each Deep Dive focuses on one specific IBM Z technology theme and follows a consistent cadence. Take advantage of these engaging, interactive webinars to grow your understanding of IBM Z technologies and earn specific badges for each session.
The Mainframe Skills Depot is your one-stop shop for accessing and developing mainframe skills. Continue your journey with over 1,000 hours of self-paced IBM Z learning content, including many no-cost courses that provide hands-on experience on real IBM Z servers. All of this leads to comprehensive, role-based learning paths for becoming a Mainframe System Administrator, Application Developer, and much more. Pick your track and earn even more badges!
From hands-on learning experience and industry-recognized badges to networking opportunities, technical events, and career resources, there are many ways you can engage with the IBM Z ecosystem.
No matter where you are in your professional journey, you will find that IBM Z Skills Programs provide many different opportunities to learn, collaborate, and connect with a global community. IBM Z Mainframes are constantly evolving – staying closely connected to learning initiatives will allow you to stay at the forefront of innovation in enterprise computing.
Explore the programs that best align with your interests, and take your next step on this journey. We look forward to seeing you at future events so we can celebrate your journey as a mainframer!
The IBM Z Skills team is here to help! If you have any questions about your events, please reach out at zskills@us.ibm.com.