IBM initiates iSeries Tafe course

20.07.2006
IBM wants to expand the Australian labor force available for its System i5 hardware line and increase the number of Tafe colleges offering classes on the mid-range technology.

In terms of the number of workers available to work with the i5 "obviously we need a lot more than we have", according to Linda Grigoleit, IBM's System i5 education program director.

A Victorian Tafe has just joined an IBM initiative to prevent shortages for the platform previously known as iSeries and AS/400.

The program, called System i Academic Initiative, represents IBM Australia's attempt at preventing a System i5 programmer shortage and forms part of 250 global community colleges and universities that offer the training.

Kangan Batman Tafe in Broadmeadow, Victoria, has joined the initiative and training is integrated into the college's computer system engineering and IT courses and forms about 25 percent of subject content.

Technology One managing director Adrian Di Marco said the skills shortages stem from a lack of IT graduates, which he attributes to an industry image problem.