QED-C Releases Assessment of Quantum Industry Hiring Needs

Survey Responses of Quantum Industry Hiring Plans by Type of Role

It is generally considered that the quantum industry will need to hire thousands of qualified scientists, engineers, technicians and other employees and the topic of workforce development has been identified as one of the key challenges that will need to be faced in order to support the projected growth. In order to provide students, university educators and administrators, policy makers, funding agencies, and quantum companies with an idea of what types of roles, skills, and educational background would be need to develop a workforce for the quantum industry, the Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C) undertook a survey of its members to ask these questions. The group has just published a report that shows the results of this survey with some interesting conclusions.

One of the key conclusions for educators is that courses in traditional non-quantum specific STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) topics are still very important and should be included as part of a balance with quantum specific coursework for students majoring in quantum topics. But the study also recommended that educators consider adding one or two broad courses in quantum technology even for students who aren't specifically majoring in quantum studies. The study also found that there will also be significant opportunities for individuals with Bachelors and Masters degrees and many positions that will be added that won't require PhD level training. General business skills will also become increasingly important as the industry moves from research to commercialization.

To see more about this industry assessment developed by the QED-C, you can read a news release describing it and available here. You can also read a full report that provides an analysis of the survey data posted on arXiv and available here.

September 28, 2021