Quantum Tech's Massive Talent Shortage: Building the Workforce

The Quantum Talent Gap: A Growing Crisis

Quantum technologies, which include new capabilities in computing, sensing, communications, and networking, have rapidly moved from largely speculative long-term potential toward nearer-term commercial impact. As the industry grows, thousands of new, often high-paying jobs are expected to follow. That’s good news, but it also presents a serious problem. The quantum industry faces a chronic shortage of skilled workers, and demand is projected to grow considerably. Left unresolved, the gap could have far-reaching consequences for business competitiveness and national security. Meeting that demand will require significant effort from government and industry, but particularly academia, where many of the skills required by this emerging workforce must be developed.

Building the Quantum Workforce: Beyond PhDs

Quantum technologies, which stem from the most complex aspects of physics, have long been the domain of PhDs conducting deep research and experimentation in the lab. But when innovation moves from the lab to commercialization, PhDs don’t disappear. Rather, a new industry is born, and roles that are less research-oriented are required.

Consider manufacturing, engineering, marketing, human resources, supply chain, information technology, and more. The people to fill these roles don’t need to become physicists, but they do need prerequisite knowledge in relevant quantum topics.

Closing the gap between available talent and thousands of emerging roles will depend heavily on creating awareness of the opportunities and making relevant education available at scale.

Colorado's Education Coalition: A Model for Training

Colorado's academic institutions recognized the workforce challenge early and responded collectively. Starting in 2024, CU Boulder, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University, CU Denver, and several other institutions partnered to design and deliver education programs aimed at training a new workforce for an anticipated 10,000 quantum-related jobs in the Mountain West region by 2030.

The scale of the need is striking. Jessi Olsen, CEO of Elevate Quantum, notes that Colorado's quantum industry employs around 3,500 people today. The companies she works with report that openings will increase by roughly 100 percent over the next 12 months, essentially doubling workforce requirements. That growth is far more acute and sizable than many close to the industry, including Olsen, had anticipated.

Olsen welcomes the universities stepping up to help train the talent the industry needs, and she believes the coalition could serve as a model for other regions, including those internationally, facing the same shortages.

Inspiring Talent and Measuring Success

Building awareness can begin as early as K-12, introducing children to the physics behind new forms of innovation and making common quantum terms more familiar. The critical moment may be engaging high school seniors as they consider their future, which means educating teachers and, critically, guidance counselors. Existing workers are another important audience, since people with all types of backgrounds may find a role that aligns with their skills and interests.

Olsen notes that the traditional cycle to create new degrees won’t work for the quantum industry, as topics may be out of date by the time a program is offered. Industry and academia must work hand-in-hand, and community colleges have a big role to play.

Success can be measured by whether students get jobs right out of their programs. The Colorado School of Mines already reports a 95 percent positive outcome rate for graduates of its quantum engineering master’s program. Other metrics include whether local quantum companies can fill roles and grow, the diversity of roles filled, and how many businesses are attracted to the region. Local, state, and federal government must be involved to ensure political and financial support.