Building a Quantum-Ready Workforce as an Industry Stakeholder

As the dream of functional quantum technology becomes reality, the demand for a quantum-ready workforce far outstrips the current supply of talent. New initiatives spanning from K-12 STEM outreach to postgraduate funding opportunities have been developed in an effort to meet workforce needs. The challenge is unique for industry stakeholders, as companies often face rising demand on faster timescales than can be met through traditional education pathways. Lockheed Martin Quantum recently launched a program to deepen our bench of quantum-ready talent in the near-term, called the Quantum Talent Pipeline (QTP). The QTP upskills employees through specialized training and mentorship, aiming to strengthen interdisciplinary teams of Quantum Engineers. We present an overview of the program, as well as lessons learned from the first year of implementation and a summary of the path forward for future cohorts of the QTP.