Occupation Description:
Mainframe System Verification Tester Apprentices continue the IBM tradition of delivering world-class Z mainframes that are best of breed in reliability, availability, and serviceability. Engineering Systems Test is the final stage of IBM Z server product development where the design, architecture, and code are validated and qualified. Apprentices learn the principles of system analysis, defect identification and repair and the basics of a variety of lab safety procedures relevant to the physical preparation of samples for chemical, optical, or electrical characterization. Apprentices are trained in the use of state-of-the-art tools to test, manipulate, and inspect product chips, and work with our engineers to interpret and consolidate the obtained data. They participant in the execution of a variety of stress and functional tests throughout a defined test schedule to ensure a quality product for IBM’s mainframe clients.
Program Description:
The IBM Apprenticeship Program, which lasts approximately 12 months, is an official registered apprenticeship recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor. The apprenticeship consists of two parts – technical learning and on-the- job training.
The technical learning helps apprentices learn the fundamentals of z/OS and mainframe components, test fundamentals, agile principles, DevOps, identifying and resolving z/OS system problems, testcase skills, technical writing, and lab safety. The apprentices also gain knowledge of physical server design and logical constructs behind its operation and an understanding of the external Storage Area Network configuration connectivity and manipulation. Through hands-on labs in an IBM Mainframe z/OS Environment, apprentices gain the fundamental practical skills to navigate and work in a z/OS environment. This includes experience with the everyday z/OS tasks with JCL, JES, ISHELL and HFS, and z/OSMF and the use of ISPF/PDF dialogs, and TSO/E commands. Apprentices are also exposed to VSAM, z/OS System Libraries, the Language Environment, Generation Data Groups, RAIM, DB2, UNIX System Services, and USS File System. The apprenticeship includes certifications like IBM ZXplore and IBM Mainframe Practitioner.
During on-the-job training, apprentices apply their knowledge and skills in troubleshooting, investigation, and problem resolution to support IBM processors, storage, or other semiconductor hardware. Apprentices work as part of a larger team of experienced engineers, technicians, and mentors in a laboratory or test floor environment. Together they create and execute test or physical characterization plans that assess the electrical performance and characteristics against design and functional requirements. Apprentices gain experience with code handling and upgrades, hardware handling, maintenance, changes and manipulation, and various operating system exploiters which are used to verify the latest hardware and firmware deliveries. These include z/OS, Z/VM, and Linux.
Program Objective:
The objective of this apprenticeship is to prepare apprentices for a career as an Z Systems Verification Tester at IBM.
Learning Outcomes:
- Decision Making - The student will be able to use creative thinking to solve problems; develop strategies for risk analysis and risk mitigation; conduct situational analysis; use decision support systems; conduct backward planning; allocate resources to resolve problems; and apply ethics to problem solving.
- Business Communications - The student will be able to demonstrate presentation skills; prepare effective business messages for culturally diverse audiences; communicate by written, oral, and visual methods; and compose clean and concise business letters, reports, memoranda, and emails.
- Computer Information Systems - The student will be able to describe basic concepts of information systems and computer networks; demonstrate knowledge of computer applications suite; demonstrate the use of Internet and email tools, apply the use of computers in a variety of environments.
- Introduction to Programming - The student will be able to create programs using fundamental concepts; identify programming's role in cyber operations; create flow charts and design and implement pseudo-code to solve problems; identify variable types and strings; analyze, create and compile programs; describe the use of classes and objects in programming; and explain vectors and create functions in programming languages.
- Scripting Languages - The student will be able to discuss the basic techniques used to create scripts for automating administrative tasks; employ regular expressions in processing text; demonstrate the use of scripting languages to manage applications using networks; explain how to use scripting language to process other application's data; and show the use of scripting developing applications using networks and databases.
- Introduction to UNIX - The student will be able to describe the purpose and functions of a computer operating system; explain the function of UNIX-based commands; identify information about a computer's files using UNIX-based commands; identify network characteristics and status using the UNIX-based command line; and perform computer management functions.
- Computer Applications - The student will be able to create, organize, and manage electronic files and folders; create, modify, and maintain word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation documents; use functions, formulas, and charts in documents, spreadsheets, and databases; and utilize applications and terminology effectively.
- Introduction to Databases - The student will be able to input data into forms; download data sets for analysis; develop SQL reports; administer updates to the database management system (DBMS); and integrate the database with external systems.
- Information Management - The student will be able to identify the fundamentals of information management and the information management cycle (processes and activities) without the aid of references; manage information, ensuring the timely availability of information for analysis and the widest possible dissemination of raw and analyzed information; plan, collect and organize information, given scenarios of varied complexity; conduct a manager's briefing session to disseminate information to stakeholders with the aid of references, given a theme and automated and or non-automated resources, and classification guidance; and conduct an area assessment to validate, update, and provide additional data to fill existing information gaps from area studies and other sources
- Computer Repair - The student will be able to identify hardware Personal Computer (PC) components; identify storage types; apply service and repair procedures; provide maintenance and troubleshooting; identify procedures for optimizing PC performance; explain the functions on an Operating System; fix and maintain printers and peripheral devices; identify basic networking concepts and topologies; and provide basic network connection of PCs and devices.
- Internship in Information Technology, Systems Testing - The student will be able to analyze a complex computing problem and apply testing principals and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions; apply scripts to keep track of system components; evaluate the requirements for a specific system configuration and recommend solutions; function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the task; identify and analyze system problem and provide a solution; demonstrate the application of knowledge and skill sets acquired from the courses and workplace in the assigned job function; exhibit critical thinking and problem-solving skills by analyzing underlying issue/s and apply to project challenges; recommend ideas to improve work effectiveness and efficiency by analyzing requirements then considering viable options.