Learn the computer that runs the world's money
Three steps: see what mainframes are, get your own free account on a real IBM Z system, and join Mainframe Club to learn it with other students.
Step 1 of 3
What's a mainframe?
IBM Z mainframes run the core systems of banks, card networks, airlines, governments and retailers. You use one every time you tap a card, use an ATM or book a flight, and the people who can work on them are in short supply.
Runs real money
Most of the world's card payments and banking transactions run on IBM Z.
Gets you hired
Few graduates have mainframe skills, so banks, insurers, government and IBM look for them.
Modern, not legacy
Today's Z runs Linux, Python, Java, Ansible, Git and VS Code next to COBOL and JCL.
What you'll learn on IBM Z Xplore
z/OS & datasets
Navigate the operating system that runs core banking, with TSO/ISPF, USS and Zowe.
JCL & COBOL
Write and submit batch jobs and read and change real COBOL programs.
IBM badges
Earn Concepts and Advanced badges you can put on LinkedIn and your resume.
Step 2 of 3
Get your free IBM Z account
IBM Z Xplore is IBM's free learning platform: videos, quizzes and hands-on challenges on a real mainframe. Sign up, then pick me as your ambassador so I can help you and invite you to club sessions.
Create your free account
Opens IBM Z Xplore in a new tab. Come back here when you're done.
Click “Ambassador Referral”
Once you're registered, it's at the top of the Xplore screen.
Look for this at the top of Xplore. Select my name and save
Type it, pick it from the dropdown and click Save. To check, go to My profile → Edit public profile and scroll down.
Start your Concepts badge
Your ZID and Z password are in the VSC1 challenge (or the Password Reset challenge).
Step 3 of 3
Join Mainframe Club
Free and open to every RMIT student, any degree, any year. Sign up with your student details so we can register the club with RMIT, then come and say hi on Discord. Stuck on a challenge? Bring it to a study session.
You're in, !
Last thing: join our Discord server. That's where members chat and every event is announced.
Join the Discord →FAQ
Before you sign up
Is it really free?
Yes. IBM Z Xplore is IBM's learning platform and everything on it is available at no cost.
Do I need my own mainframe or special software?
No. You connect to IBM's system over the internet. All you need is a laptop, VS Code and a browser.
Why select me as your ambassador?
It links your sign-up to me as your campus IBM Z Student Ambassador, so I can help when you get stuck and invite you to club workshops and study groups. It doesn't change anything else about your account.
How do I check I picked the right ambassador?
In Xplore, go to My profile → Edit public profile and scroll down. You should see my name. If not, click Ambassador Referral again and re-select it.
Where are my ZID and mainframe password?
In the VSC1 challenge, or the Password Reset challenge. Passwords expire every 60 days, so use Password Reset if yours stops working.
I'm stuck on a challenge. What now?
Search the Xplore forum with keywords, e.g. “JCL3 error”. If there's no answer, create a new post with the details. Or bring it to a club study session.
Can I look back at challenges I've finished?
Yes. The Completed tab has PDFs of finished challenges, so you can review them without redoing them. Your progress is on your profile.
I'm not a CS student. Can I still do it?
Yes. The challenges start from the basics, and students from all kinds of degrees complete them.