Key Takeaways:
Q-CTRL Partners with QUIN: Q-CTRL and the Quad Investors Network join forces to offer quantum technology training, aiming for a diverse workforce in Australia and the U.S.
Subsidized Education: Under the agreement, post-secondary students in Australia’s TAFE institutions and U.S. HBCUs gain access to Q-CTRL’s Black Opal quantum education software with subsidized licenses.
Diversity in Quantum Workforce: This initiative, supported by QUIN and the IBM-HBCU Quantum Center, promotes inclusivity, skill development, and broad access to the quantum technology industry.
Q-CTRL has announced a partnership with the Quad Investors Network (QUIN) to provide quantum technology training in Australia and the United States. This partnership aims to create diverse quantum workforces in both countries. As part of this agreement, Q-CTRL will offer subsidized licenses for its Black Opal quantum educational software to students in Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions in Australia and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the U.S. The program is set to begin in 2024 and has plans for expansion to other Quad countries.
The IBM-HBCU Quantum Center will facilitate access to Q-CTRL’s educational technology, supporting the initiative’s goals. QUIN Chairman Karl Metha emphasized the importance of inclusive workforce development in quantum technologies, calling it a step towards building the future workforce.
This collaboration aligns with the Quad partners’ shared goals of fostering a skilled workforce and promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the quantum technology field. The initiative is significant as it focuses on enabling post-secondary students from various backgrounds to enter the quantum industry, rather than solely targeting Ph.D. candidates.
"This partnership is a great example of leadership from the private sector. Improving quantum literacy and investment will ensure we accelerate quantum technologies and make the most of this new era. This is just what the Quad Investor Network was designed to do."
Australia’s Chief Scientist Cathy Foley praised the partnership as an example of private sector leadership, emphasizing the importance of improving quantum literacy and investment. QUIN Executive Director Asif Bhatti expressed support for the program’s efforts to broaden access to quantum education.
Q-CTRL CEO Prof. Michael Biercuk underscored the need for a diverse quantum workforce and the removal of barriers through the Black Opal program. This initiative is a strategic, long-term investment addressing the growing demand for quantum technology expertise across various sectors, from finance and pharmaceuticals to defense and cybersecurity.
This partnership is a great example of leadership from the private sector. Improving quantum literacy and investment will ensure acceleration of quantum technologies and to make the most of this new era. This is just what the Quad Investor Network was designed to do.
