Fine. I want to learn how to maintain/write software for a mainframe.

How do I start? Can I get access to one? Can I build up something I can learn on? What is the best path for doing this? How would I usefully gain enough experience to get into this?

I have linux, python, c, but unsurprisingly can’t afford 30 million (or whatever) on a mainframe.

I know about Hercules, but I’d only be able to run Linux. Is that right? Is that useful?

My feeling is that I’d need experience to get a job, but I can’t get experience without a job. Seems like the whole shortage is a lie. If there was a shortage I’d be able to find various organisations falling over themselves to help me into mainframes.