TAFE and Q-CTRL partner to broaden Australia’s quantum education landscape

Quantum computing startup Q-CTRL has announced a partnership with the Quad Investors Network (QUIN) to offer advanced quantum technology training to TAFE students across Australia, aiming to develop a more diverse quantum workforce.

The partnership was announced as part of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to the White House this week, with Q-CTRL’s CEO, Professor Michael J Biercuk in attendance.

And the trip has certainly been a big one for Australian tech, with the Prime Minister announcing a $5 billion investment from Microsoft just a few days ago. Similar to the Q-CTRL announcement, it also includes a focus on TAFEs.

Under the agreement, Q-CTRL will provide fully subsidised licenses of its Black Opal quantum educational technology software to TAFE students. This will also be offered to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the US by 2024.

“We know that we need employees with backgrounds from machining and coding through to business and politics to support the growth of the quantum sector,” Q-CTRL CEO, Professor Michael Biercuk, said in an email to SmartCompany.

“TAFE provides an essential — and in our view, overlooked — educational contribution to our sector. We need electricians, machinists and designers as much as we need physicists.

“TAFE is a perfect vehicle to build the quantum conversant staff we need to continue our global leadership. The jobs enabled by the quantum sector will help deliver pride and prosperity to all Australians (and of course all of our allies) and we are proud of the part we are playing to drive the sector forward.”

According to Professor Biercuk, Q-CTRL aimed to address this challenge when it built Black Opal to be an accessible introduction to quantum for non-experts.

“We of course offer as a retail tool for anyone interested but are excited about the breadth of reach afforded by our new partnership with the Quad Investor Network and the IBM HBCU Quantum Center. This is a chance to really move the needle in building the skills we require and ensuring as many people as possible benefit.”

Australia’s chief scientist, Cathy Foley, highlighted the importance of enhancing quantum literacy and investments to navigate the impending quantum technology era.

“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,” Foley said.

Quantum investment in Australia is growing

In the broader educational landscape in Australia, quantum computing has been largely focused on universities, particularly at the post-graduation level. This partnership stands out as it aims to integrate non-university students without quantum backgrounds into the industry.

“We are certain that a skilled workforce will be a fundamental enabler of the emerging quantum industry. Formal university training in quantum physics and quantum computing plays a key part in that. To our mind it has for too long been the whole story,” Professor Biercuk said.

“And of course, because current quantum physics university student demographics are nearly identical to those in our industry, a sole focus here does little to broaden access for what is likely the most profound new export market of the century.”

And it’s certainly a good time to be doing this.

Earlier this year the Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic, unveiled Australia’s inaugural national quantum strategy. This is part of Labor’s National Reconstruction Fund, $1 billion of which was set aside for critical technologies such as quantum.

A week later the federal budget revealed  $101.2 million over five years for small businesses integrating quantum and AI technologies into their operations.

Money has also been flowing in the private sector. Two Australian quantum startups have seen big raises this year — Quantum Brilliance with $25.7 million and Silicon Quantum Computing with $50 million.

Let’s hope that these Black Opal licenses for TAFE are just the first step in a long road to making it easier and cheaper for students — especially from diverse backgrounds — to access quantum and other deep tech education in Australia so we can secure the future of our tech sector.