Outcomes of a first Quantum Technician Bootcamp

ORAL

Abstract

Recent projections continue to show a significant workforce gap in the growing field of Quantum Information Science and Technology (QIST). Less than half of job postings in QIST require a PhD, and an increasing number require Associate's or Bachelor's degrees or less. Despite this, early exposure to QIST often occurs late in undergraduate education, which limits participation from skilled workers who have not pursued a 4-year degree. In a first-of-its-kind effort, CNM-Ingenuity (the workforce branch of Central New Mexico Community College) and Sandia National Labs teamed up to offer a 10-week quantum technician training bootcamp in fall of 2025. The program upskilled 9 trainees with no prior math or science knowledge who learned quantum concepts and hands-on skills in ultrahigh vacuum processing, optics/lasers/photonics, and general technician skills. Here we present an overview of the bootcamp structure and outcomes, how our first graduates are doing in their quantum careers, as well as future plans.

*This effort is funded by the U.S. Dept. of Education. Additional funding from the U.S. Dept. of Commerce Economic Development Administration TechHub “Elevate Quantum”; the State of New Mexico’s Technology Enhancement Fund; and the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, National Quantum Information Science Research Center, “Quantum Systems Accelerator”.Sandia National Laboratories is managed and operated by NTESS, LLC, a subsidiary of Honeywell International, Inc. for the US DOE NNSA under contract DE-NA0003525. This work is supported in part by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, National Quantum Information Science Research Centers, Quantum Systems Accelerator as well as the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Advanced Scientific Computing, Reaching a New Energy Sciences Workforce. The views expressed here do not necessarily represent the views of the DOE or the US Government. SAND2025-13383A.

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Presenters

  • Megan Ivory

    • Sandia National Laboratories

Authors

  • Megan Ivory

    • Sandia National Laboratories

  • Shawn Morales

    • Central New Mexico Community College

  • Brian Rashap

    • Central New Mexico Community College