Join guest host Steven Perva as he chats with Darren Surch, CEO of Interskill Learning, the world’s largest mainframe training provider. Darren shares his journey from hydrographer to mainframe education leader, discusses Interskill’s global impact, and their partnership with IBM on digital badges. Learn about the evolution of mainframe training and how continuous learning is vital in today’s fast-changing tech landscape. Whether you’re in the mainframe industry or curious about future IT skills, this episode is full of valuable insights.
Transcript
VZC Guest:
Darren Surch
CEO
Interskill Learning
Darren Surch, one of only 28 Lifetime IBM Champions and one of just 2 Lifetime IBM Champions for IBM Z, is recognized globally for his expertise in mainframe workforce training. IBM Champions are a prestigious group of over 1,000 external experts, honored for their leadership, technical knowledge, and contributions to the IBM community.
With over 30 years in the industry, Darren has been at the forefront of evolving digital mainframe training, transforming it from basic PC-based courses to comprehensive, globally deployed training programs. Under his leadership, Interskill Learning has trained over a million professionals, offering the most widely delivered and IBM-credentialed mainframe training worldwide. Darren is also a sought-after speaker at mainframe computing conferences and events around the globe.
VZC Guest Speaker:
Steven Perva
Senior Mainframe Innovation Engineer
Ensono
Passionate and curious about technology across platforms and domains, Steven enjoys developing software independently including video games, web applications, and server maintenance scripts. He has a comprehensive understanding of the entire IT ecosystem from distributed servers and desktops to enterprise storage and networking to IBM mainframes and zLinux. Steven is always eager to learn new skills and share his knowledge with others through internal training programs, industry conferences, and events.
