Computer Course in Crown Heights

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With technology moving at lightning speed, most of the largest companies are still using 60-year old IBM mainframe computer technology to handle the bulk of their IT requirements. These employers are actually desperate for people know the COBOL and DB2 computer languages and database.

A new course in Crown Heights will be certifying a small number of individuals who wish to learn and be certified to secure a lucrative and rewarding position with a large-scale corporation.

Long-time Crown Heights resident Yosef Hershkowitz will be teaching the course. After recently retiring and with 30+ years as an IBM mainframe programmer and IT manager, Mr. Hershkowitz has partnered with IBM to offer a complete turnkey training program that teaches IBM mainframe basics, beginning and advanced COBOL, and programming with the DB2 database.
Leibish Nash, a well-respected Crown Heights resident known for his generosity and community service, has been a longtime supporter of Mr. Hershkowitz’s project. Leibish says, “A lot of planning and effort went into this project. Many of our yungerleit are in need of a professional career to support their growing families, Many of our yungerleit are in need of a professional career to support their growing families, and Yosef’s program will provide computer programming skills that are in great demand by large companies. It was a challenge to bring a vocational training program into the community that would not interfere with our yeshivos and also maintain our standards of tznius. Mr. Hershkowitz deserves great credit for working with the Rabbonim of the Beis Din to obtain their approval.”

While most of the technology on your phone is constantly changing and needing upgrading, large corporate enterprises such as banks, insurance companies, major retailers, and government still rely on the stability of IBM mainframes to keep their information management systems up and running. According to Mr. Hershkowitz, “This is an amazing opportunity for people who are willing to learn this old but vital technology.”

According to Mr. Hershkowitz, “people with IBM mainframe experience can easily secure a position earning over $100,000 annually. Many people don’t fully understand how vital this technology is to large corporations; and as a result large corporations are willing to pay for people who can program on these “monster machines.”

Although we think of technology as our phones and laptops, corporations possess massive amounts of data that servers cannot handle. These companies have invested millions of dollars building mainframe systems; there is no rush to change them as long as they are functioning properly. Most IT managers believe that IBM mainframe computers will be around for at least another 10 to 20 years, if not more.

This intensive program will take place in Crown Heights, and will last for 4 months, after which students will earn not long a COBOL/DB2 certificate, but IBM certifications as well. After successfully completing the course, students will be assisted in their job search.

This program is approved by the IBM Academic Initiative, a division of IBM Corporation.

The public is invited to a special presentation of this upcoming course on Wednesday evening, February 20, at 8:00 PM, at the Crown Heights Young Entrepreneurs, 510 Empire Blvd. Yosef Hershkowitz and Mr. Leonard Santalucia, IBM technical advisor for the course, will present the details and answer questions.

For more information visit www.bigironlearning.org