Compuware, Wayne State Partner To Educate, Retain Tech Talent
DETROIT -- Compuware Corp. (Nasdaq:CPWR) announced the launch of a mainframe computing education and summer internship program with Wayne State University's College of Engineering.
The program is designed to introduce students to mainframe software development while helping cultivate and retain a vibrant high-tech talent pool within Metro Detroit.
The first phase of the program, which kicked off this spring at Wayne State, featured an intensive 10-week course that provided more than 60 computer science students the opportunity to build and deploy real mainframe technology. With the support of the College of Engineering's Connect Services Office, Compuware's own mainframe developers served as consultants and mentors throughout the program, meeting weekly with students to provide guidance and feedback. Compuware has employed several students as summer interns in the company's Mainframe Solutions business unit, where they are collaborating on a real-life mainframe application to generate product enhancements.
Phase two of the program, which will cover mainframe programming languages, will begin this fall. The 10-week course will also be offered again in September.
Compuware calls the mainframe "a silent IT juggernaut," saying it powers the world's largest enterprises, including banks, insurance and manufacturing companies, and retailers. And as mainframe applications become more complex and customer facing, the IT industry faces a mainframe skills shortage. According to a recent study conducted by the Pew Research Center, 10,000 baby boomers will turn 65 every day over the next 19 years, creating significant implications in the world of mainframe computing. Compuware is preparing for its own transitioning workforce by actively engaging in grassroots partnerships that help attract top talent.
"As Detroit's only global technology company, and a stalwart supporter of the community, we are keenly interested in helping grow and foster a pool of talented professionals who will work, live and raise their families locally," said Bob Paul, Compuware CEO. "Our partnership with the College of Engineering at Wayne State University is win-win for the city, Compuware and the students who have the opportunity to get a head start on a rewarding career in technology."
Added Darin Ellis, associate dean at the Wayne State University College of Engineering: "We welcome the opportunity to work closely with partners in the business and industrial sector including our friends at Compuware, and we are committed to making sure that Wayne State College of Engineering Warriors graduate fully prepared to make a bottom-line impact on the region's economy."
And Thyrus Gorges, a third year student who completed the computing course and was recently hired as an intern by Compuware: "Most students don't know what a server is, let alone a mainframe -- it's not like you can go to Google, find a mainframe and begin programming apps. The seminar gave us an opportunity to actually work on a mainframe and interface with experienced developers. I'm really excited that I can apply the skills I learned at the workshop in my role at Compuware."
For more information, contact the Connect Services Office at (313) 577-7555 or help@eng.wayne.edu.
Compuware's mainframe software is available within the Compuware Workbench, an open development environment that features an intuitive and easy-to-use graphical user interface. Workbench makes common mainframe tasks faster and simpler to perform for both experienced mainframers as well those new to the mainframe, enabling companies to develop new services faster, more efficiently and with higher quality utilizing existing resources.
More at www.compuware. com or http://engineering.wayne.edu.
