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Whilst the majority of global organisations are run on COBOL systems, recent trends in IT training have seen skills such as web 2.0 and Java programming take precedence over this essential language. The ACTION program aims to address this shortfall, and the signing of Universidade de São Caetano do Sul, Brazil, means that the programme is now available in 16 countries across five continents. 

Launched in May 2007, the ACTION program aims to ensure that future generations are equipped with the vital COBOL-programming and core IT skills required by major corporations, both in the UK and across the globe. The program provides member universities with free access to the latest technology and teaching tools for enterprise application development. Micro Focus estimates that around 9,000 students are now graduating every year with these vital skills, benefitting from the ACTION program. Additionally, Micro Focus has revealed that its core product for students and professionals wishing to enhance their core IT skills, Net Express for .NET, has now been downloaded over 35,000 times.

Research from Micro Focus in December 2008, carried out in 450 companies with revenues from $100m up to over $1bn, shows that nearly two thirds (60%) of CFOs, CIOs and HR Directors from organisations across the globe stated that core systems and databases are business critical, compared with only just over a third (38%) who felt the same about systems using new technologies. Organisations now need to recruit graduates with the skills to operate and evolve these core systems, the vast majority of which run on COBOL. The ACTION program is designed to ensure this pool of talent is available to the largest organisations around the globe.

“As companies continue to look for ways to maximize their investment in existing IT systems, it is critical for the next generation of IT workers to develop the skills needed to execute these strategies,” said Dr. John Harrison, Associate Professor and Interim Chair, Department of Math and Computer Science at Wilkes University, Pennsylvania, which is part of the ACTION program. “We are excited to team up with Micro Focus to ensure that Wilkes University students have the skills needed to thrive in the IT environments of today and tomorrow.”

Micro Focus now plans to continue offering these core teaching tools and technologies, but also expand the ACTION program to include the breadth of the solutions supported by Micro Focus. Students will be able to learn the entire Enterprise IT Lifecycle process including assessment, analysis, testing, management and modernization. These extensions are expected to be in place by the end of the year.

Stuart McGill, CTO of Micro Focus, said: “Since the ACTION program was launched in 2007, Academic institutions are responding steadily to the growing skills demand, as demonstrated by today’s news. Core IT skills will continue to be critical within global organisations for the foreseeable future, meaning universities need to be offering the courses that meet this demand. With industries like manufacturing and financial services currently experiencing some of the toughest times in their history, it is essential that universities are providing graduates with skills in IP-rich industries such as technology.” 

NOTES TO EDITORS: About Micro Focus 

Micro Focus, a member of the FTSE 250, provides innovative software that allows companies to dramatically improve the business value of their enterprise applications. Micro Focus Enterprise Application Modernization, Testing and Management software enables customers’ business applications to respond rapidly to market changes and embrace modern architectures with reduced cost and risk. For additional information please visit www.microfocus.com