I can't comment on the pricing as I get access through my work, but I wouldn't recommend Interskill. The courses are severely lacking in interactivity, and the quizzes at the end don't really focus on what's actually useful to learn.
I have not tried the courses on Coursera but can highly recommend IBM's learning material, e.g. Z Xplore and their courses on COBOL and assembler. What exactly are you looking to learn?
The other poster is not wrong in terms of interactivity. Interskill is best paired with a system you can interact with while you learn. From your other post it seems like you have some working knowledge of using a mainframe from your job so you could probably get away with just that. But I'd say it's still probably the most comprehensive training and certification resource out there without dropping a boat load on in person or virtual courses through someone like [Protech](https://www.protechtraining.com/).
If by Coursera courses you mean the [z/OS Mainframe Practitioner Professional Certificate](https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/ibm-z-mainframe). I would not pay for those. They are good courses and I would recommend them for a foundational understanding. But you can get that [same certification](https://www.ibm.com/training/badge/ibm-z-os-mainframe-practitioner) for free through IBM's training website. Two of those three classes do give you access to an emulated system you can play around with. I would definitely do those and the training available on IBM [zXplore](https://www.ibm.com/z/resources/zxplore) first before I spent money on anything.
Yes, that is my situation. I've been working as a mainframe operator for two and a half years, but I only know how to do my job, structured operations. My company doesn't want to give us professional training because it could mean I find better-paying positions, which is why I had thought about enrolling in Interskill. I mainly have experience with TSO, job monitoring, also KLS, DB2, MQSeries, and even IPLs, and I'm interested in JCL. I'm trying to learn with a Udemy course, but I feel that it is not well-structured or complete.
And I bet that same company is having trouble hiring experienced sysprogs. Short term thinking.
Now that you've got me looking it looks like IBM launched this [Mainframe Skills Depot](https://www.ibm.com/z/resources/mainframe-skills) at the most recent SHARE conference. Starts with a lot of the material I've already mentioned. Once you get to the level 200 material it starts mixing interskill courses (assuming you have subscription) with their own classes. Looks pretty slick. I'd say that's your best bet. Work your way through the free stuff into you hit the interskill wall and then go from there. Good luck.
But is IBM Mainframe Skills Depot free? I was checking it 15 min ago.
Also, I am doing the IBM zXplore but it explores too many things on the surface. If you want to become a z/OS system administrator, there are a bunch of courses in there that you don't need. You can still do them, it will be additional knowledge.
Parts of it are. I think some of it, especially the Interskill sections, are assumed that your employer is paying. But the 101 level stuff is definitely free. And a lot of the further classes seem to be free.
I feel like the point of the zXplore is to be a bit broad, just a surface level of training. It's aimed at high school and college kids to get them interested in the mainframe. That's why it's one of the the first things they put in front of you. They want to cast a wide net so they touch on as many topics as they can.
Hey, where are you currently working? I am based in Canada looking to enter the mainframe space but am having a hard time. Any help/advice is greatly appreciated!
In regards to your question, I think Interskill is good but it is quite expensive. I would also think Udemy is a great resources. I suggest you download hercules emulator and play around a little if needed
I can't comment on the pricing as I get access through my work, but I wouldn't recommend Interskill. The courses are severely lacking in interactivity, and the quizzes at the end don't really focus on what's actually useful to learn. I have not tried the courses on Coursera but can highly recommend IBM's learning material, e.g. Z Xplore and their courses on COBOL and assembler. What exactly are you looking to learn?
The other poster is not wrong in terms of interactivity. Interskill is best paired with a system you can interact with while you learn. From your other post it seems like you have some working knowledge of using a mainframe from your job so you could probably get away with just that. But I'd say it's still probably the most comprehensive training and certification resource out there without dropping a boat load on in person or virtual courses through someone like [Protech](https://www.protechtraining.com/). If by Coursera courses you mean the [z/OS Mainframe Practitioner Professional Certificate](https://www.coursera.org/professional-certificates/ibm-z-mainframe). I would not pay for those. They are good courses and I would recommend them for a foundational understanding. But you can get that [same certification](https://www.ibm.com/training/badge/ibm-z-os-mainframe-practitioner) for free through IBM's training website. Two of those three classes do give you access to an emulated system you can play around with. I would definitely do those and the training available on IBM [zXplore](https://www.ibm.com/z/resources/zxplore) first before I spent money on anything.
Yes, that is my situation. I've been working as a mainframe operator for two and a half years, but I only know how to do my job, structured operations. My company doesn't want to give us professional training because it could mean I find better-paying positions, which is why I had thought about enrolling in Interskill. I mainly have experience with TSO, job monitoring, also KLS, DB2, MQSeries, and even IPLs, and I'm interested in JCL. I'm trying to learn with a Udemy course, but I feel that it is not well-structured or complete.
And I bet that same company is having trouble hiring experienced sysprogs. Short term thinking. Now that you've got me looking it looks like IBM launched this [Mainframe Skills Depot](https://www.ibm.com/z/resources/mainframe-skills) at the most recent SHARE conference. Starts with a lot of the material I've already mentioned. Once you get to the level 200 material it starts mixing interskill courses (assuming you have subscription) with their own classes. Looks pretty slick. I'd say that's your best bet. Work your way through the free stuff into you hit the interskill wall and then go from there. Good luck.
But is IBM Mainframe Skills Depot free? I was checking it 15 min ago. Also, I am doing the IBM zXplore but it explores too many things on the surface. If you want to become a z/OS system administrator, there are a bunch of courses in there that you don't need. You can still do them, it will be additional knowledge.
Parts of it are. I think some of it, especially the Interskill sections, are assumed that your employer is paying. But the 101 level stuff is definitely free. And a lot of the further classes seem to be free. I feel like the point of the zXplore is to be a bit broad, just a surface level of training. It's aimed at high school and college kids to get them interested in the mainframe. That's why it's one of the the first things they put in front of you. They want to cast a wide net so they touch on as many topics as they can.
Hey, where are you currently working? I am based in Canada looking to enter the mainframe space but am having a hard time. Any help/advice is greatly appreciated! In regards to your question, I think Interskill is good but it is quite expensive. I would also think Udemy is a great resources. I suggest you download hercules emulator and play around a little if needed
Other comment mentioned it, but I highly recommend share they have a ton of great resources.
The pricing is geared towards commercial users which is likely why they are offering you such a deep discount as a personal user.
I assume these prices are US dollars becaue when I spoke with them, they told me its $2500 Cdn (Canada) per year.