In 2025, FERIT, IBM, and CROZ launched the FERIT Mainframe Academy, offering you the opportunity to become familiar with mainframe technology—the foundational platform that ensures reliable and secure operations for the world’s largest banks, insurance companies, and many other critical systems.

The first year was extremely successful!

In 2025, 12 students enrolled in the elective course Basics of Mainframe Technology and, upon completion, achieved excellent grades. The course provided not only foundational and practical knowledge, but also the opportunity to obtain market-relevant Interskill certifications and gain professional practical experience.

As a reward, the best students participated in the international *Mighty Mainframe* conference, with all expenses covered. Read more about the academy’s results in the article, and we also highly recommend reading the interview with Lucija Šteler, who successfully completed the course and participated in the conference.

We’re Introducing an additional skill this year!

Due to the limited number of places last year, not all interested students were able to enroll in the course. Therefore, Basics of Mainframe Technology will also be held in 2026, following the same program.

Read more about the course in the article!

What’s new in 2026 is that we are expanding the academy program with a new skill for students who want to develop their careers as software engineers—Programmer in the COBOL programming language.

Read more about the skill and enrollment on TEACHing and in the article.

What can you expect?

Both programs have a moderate workload, designed so that attending them does not interfere with students’ regular courses. In addition to lectures, they offer a range of additional opportunities: training programs, learning through real-life examples, mentoring, and ultimately numerous opportunities for professional practice.

Lecturers and mentors are domestic and international mainframe experts, and the best students also have the opportunity to participate in international conferences.

Take part in this unique educational program and secure your competitiveness on the job market!

You can express your interest in attending the Basics of Mainframe Technology course and/or the Programmer in the COBOL programming language skill by completing this survey.

Contact email for all inquiries: luka.kaucic@ibm.com