Building the Technical Workforce of the Future

NCWIT is pleased to announce that it will play a crucial role as a key member of the Elevate Quantum consortium, providing the infrastructure and leadership necessary to coordinate the efforts of more than 15 partner organizations. These organizations will collaborate to deliver comprehensive quantum and quantum-adjacent skills-based curriculum and training. Objectives include training and reskilling over 30,000 students and workers for quantum jobs over the next ten years. Through this initiative, NCWIT will be at the forefront of efforts to grow the quantum computing sector.

Lucy Sanders, NCWIT Founder and Executive in Residence

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) recently announced $504 million in implementation grants to 12 Tech Hubs across the United States. Among the recipients is the Elevate Quantum Tech Hub, spanning Colorado and New Mexico, which will receive a total of $127 million from federal and state agencies. This significant investment is anticipated to attract over $2 billion in additional private capital, solidifying the Mountain West as a global leader in quantum innovation.

Quantum Information Technology (QIT) is poised to be at the forefront of the next wave of technological advancements, with an estimated $3.5 trillion in potential economic impact. QIT’s advancements will revolutionize various sectors, including artificial intelligence, climate technology, healthcare, and national security. This initiative represents a comprehensive strategy to position the Mountain West region as a global hub for quantum computing.

The EDA’s grant of $40.5 million to Elevate Quantum has catalyzed additional funding, including $77 million from the State of Colorado and $10 million from the State of New Mexico. Part of these state funds will support a loan guarantee program, expected to deploy $1 billion in private capital to the region.

According to CU Boulder Today, these combined federal and state investments will enable the following milestones by 2030:

• Activation of over $2 billion in private capital for quantum innovation: This investment will support quantum startups and scale-ups, driving economic growth and technological advancement in the region.
• Creation of over 10,000 quantum jobs: These jobs will be critical across the Mountain West quantum ecosystem, with up to 80% available to non-advanced degree holders and offering a median salary of $125,000 per year.
• Establishment of world-class open-access quantum facilities: Funding will provide researchers and entrepreneurs with access to state-of-the-art hardware and fabrication capabilities. This includes a university quantum incubator in Boulder, funded by up to $29 million in state investment through refundable tax credits.
• Development of a first-class workforce: The initiative aims to ensure that the burgeoning quantum sector is diverse, inclusive, and equitable. The goal is to fill key roles, reflecting a commitment to tapping into talent from all community sectors.

The initiative encompasses a multi-pronged approach, including five core components. One notable component is the INCLUDE pillar, which will conduct an expansive workforce development programming across the QIT ecosystem, from K-12 education to career advancement. 

About NCWIT

NCWIT increases participation in the technology ecosystem through innovative programs and research. NCWIT’s holistic, full-ecosystem approach, informed by decades of social science research, is unique. As an exemplar organization of the NSF, NCWIT has set the standard for evaluating impact and ensuring our programs are effective and efficient.