Ensono Expands Mainframe Academy in 2025 with Launch in Poland and New Career Tracks
Leading technology advisor, innovation partner, and managed service provider Ensono has expanded its flagship Mainframe Academy (MFA) program, launching the curriculum in Poland and adding two new U.S. tracks: Operator and IBMi. The program, aimed at developing the next generation of mainframe professionals, now includes over 50 participants worldwide, a mix of interns and full-time employees.
Nine employees in Poland joined the program after its April launch, receiving training across mainframe and IT technologies. MFA offers multiple career paths, including a fast track for experienced IT professionals, an intern track for students or recent graduates, and the newly introduced U.S. Operator and IBMi tracks.
As the mainframe workforce ages and demand grows for modern IT skills, Ensono’s MFA addresses a critical talent gap. With the continued relevance of mainframes—highlighted by IBM’s z17 launch and its AI capabilities—the academy prepares future engineers, operators, and systems professionals to meet evolving business and technology needs.
“Future-proofing talent means giving our people the tools to succeed in a rapidly evolving mainframe environment,” said Lisa Dyer, Senior Vice President of Mainframe at Ensono. “Through our Mainframe Academy and the addition of tracks for application programmers, we’re developing the next generation of mainframe professionals—equipped to lead modernization efforts, help our clients adopt new capabilities, and drive what’s next for this critical platform.”
“Our Mainframe Academy’s expansion into Poland focuses on nurturing local talent,” said Lukasz Pawlowski, Vice President of Service Delivery and Poland Country Manager. We’re committed to empowering our Polish team with the skills and opportunities to excel in the mainframe industry, reflecting our belief in their potential and dedication to fostering a community of experts driving innovation and success for Ensono and our clients.”
Since launching in 2021, the Mainframe Academy has achieved a 91% graduation and retention rate, demonstrating its success in preparing trainees for long-term, high-impact careers at Ensono and across the industry.
Source: Ensono
IBM Acquires DataStax
On May 28, DataStax confirmed the official closing of its acquisition by IBM. The Santa Clarita-based open-source database company first announced the deal earlier this year as part of its broader strategy to expand AI capabilities and deliver scalable NoSQL data solutions.
Prior to the deal’s finalization, Dinesh Nirmal, IBM’s Senior Vice President of Software, underscored the importance of infrastructure in AI development: “Businesses can’t unlock the full potential of generative AI without open-source tools that empower developers, manage unstructured data, and provide a strong AI foundation. DataStax brings deep expertise and shares IBM’s commitment to enterprise-scale AI.”
IBM noted that DataStax is known for its creation of AstraDB and DataStax Enterprise, database solutions powered by Apache Cassandra®, and Langflow, an open-source tool for low-code AI application development. These technologies are expected to complement IBM’s existing offerings, such as the watsonx.data hybrid open data lakehouse and the watsonx.ai integrated AI development studio.
In the announcement of the acquisition’s completion, Kapoor reassured customers that the company’s core mission remains unchanged: “We continue to empower enterprises and developers to build and scale mission-critical applications. Now, with IBM, we bring even greater scale, capabilities, and innovation to the table.”
Defense Information Systems Agency Developing ‘Fangorn’ Prototype Cloud Platform
The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) has awarded an Other Transaction Agreement to World Wide Technology to develop a prototype cloud platform under the Fangorn project, whose aim is to modernize the legacy mainframe systems of U.S. warfighters.
Fangorn will feature AI-powered tools for data management and analytics, aiming to streamline operations and reduce dependence on aging applications. The platform represents a pioneering effort to create a cloud solution specifically built for mainframe modernization. It will support DISA customers in managing multiple mainframe systems more efficiently while offering a flexible path for transitioning traditional applications to the cloud.
“The project signifies a paradigm shift in mainframe management,” Justin Sollenberger, division chief of DISA J-9, said in a statement. “By combining the strengths of the mainframe with the agility of the cloud and the power of AI, Fangorn delivers a truly innovative platform that drives unprecedented levels of performance, scalability and efficiency.”
Source: DISA
Sonja Soderlund is an Oregon-based B2B freelance writer. Whether writing about mainframe computers, educational technology, or sustainable retail, she strives to bring clarity to complex issues. Connect with her at sonjasoderlund.com or LinkedIn.