The Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE) recently released a report, Advancing Together: A Unified Strategy for Scaling Midwest Quantum Talent, outlining a regional strategy to expand the quantum workforce. The Illinois-Wisconsin-Indiana region could see as many as 191,000 quantum jobs by 2035, according to a Boston Consulting Group analysis for the CQE. More than 70% of those jobs will be available to people who do not have graduate degrees, and nearly one-third will be open to those with associates degrees or technical training.
The Advancing Together report offers specific recommendations, including establishing a Quantum Teaching Center of Excellence to coordinate teacher preparation; creating a shared-access framework to enable hands-on training for students from institutions without dedicated quantum equipment; formalizing transfer pathways into major Midwest research institutions for quantum-relevant fields; and creating employer collaboratives to ensure students build the specific skills needed for the quantum workplace. Training is a particular focus throughout the report, which calls for coordinated pre-, during-, and post-apprenticeship supports, including readiness programming, mentorship, and advancement opportunities.