The Global Quantum Talent Shortage: Who Will Lead The Future?
For decades, quantum technology seemed like something out of a science fiction novel: a world of endless possibilities, but always out of reach. Now, it is here. And it is moving fast.
From cybersecurity to healthcare, finance, and national defence, quantum technology is finding applications across various industries. It's clear that both companies and countries that master it first will hold the keys to the future. But there is one problem no one saw coming.
The quantum revolution isn't being slowed by a lack of money or technology. It's being slowed by a lack of people.
The Billion-Dollar Quantum Race
The global quantum computing market is currently valued at approximately $1.42 billion and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.5% from 2025 to 20301. Governments and private investors have already poured more than $40 billion into quantum research2.
The message is clear: quantum technology is on the rise. It is poised to reshape cybersecurity, transform drug discovery, optimise supply chains, and supercharge artificial intelligence. And those who act first will come out on top.
The United States, China, Canada, and European nations are all competing to lead the field, knowing that quantum breakthroughs could determine the next global superpower. Major corporations and venture capitalists are also rushing in, hoping to claim their share of the market before it's too late.
But none of that can happen if there aren't enough people who understand how to build, run, and use these systems.
The demand for quantum talent is growing at a breakneck pace. In 2021, two-thirds of quantum-related jobs went unfilled due to a lack of qualified professionals. By 2022, things improved slightly, but still half of all quantum positions remained vacant.
“Quantum-literate workforce development will be key factor in winning Global Quantum race” - Rajesh Uppal for IDST
Universities have responded by doubling the number of master’s programs in quantum technologies, but businesses still struggle to find employees with the right skills. Why?
The Talent Shortage No One Saw Coming
It might seem like the solution would be simple: train more quantum physicists. But as businesses started getting deeper and deeper into QT solutions, they realized they didn’t just need physicists; they needed software engineers who understood quantum algorithms, data scientists who could work with quantum-generated information, and business leaders who would understand how to apply quantum solutions in the real world. And most universities aren’t set up to produce these kinds of interdisciplinary experts.
In 2019, a group of 50 quantum researchers from the United States and Europe gathered at the University of California to study the state of quantum education and come up with a viable answer to the rising talent shortage problem.
Their conclusion was blunt: universities were not keeping pace with industry needs. There were physics programmes, and there were computer science programmes, but very few combined the two—and even fewer included business and leadership training.
Some universities have begun to respond, but key players in the game know that they simply cannot afford to wait.
How the World Is Tackling the Quantum Talent Shortage
While every country racing to lead in quantum technology faces the same workforce shortage, they are responding in different ways.
North America
In the United States, the approach is centralised. The government has taken a strong role in quantum workforce development, funding training initiatives through the National Quantum Initiative Act and the Department of Energy. The National Science Foundation has launched specialised programmes, and major tech companies like IBM, Google, and Microsoft are leading their own educational efforts, aiming to train millions of quantum-literate professionals by the end of the decade3.
- The National Quantum Initiative Act (2018): Established federal research centers and quantum education programs.
- The National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Quantum Leap Challenge Institutes: Trains students and professionals in real-world quantum applications.
- Industry Involvement: Companies like IBM, Google, and Microsoft have launched their own training programs, aiming to create millions of quantum-literate workers by 2030.
- Education and Skills Pipeline: Programs like Qubit by Qubit introduce quantum concepts to high school students. Universities now offer dedicated quantum programs, while the Department of Energy (DOE) provides hands-on training opportunities.
Canada has taken a different route, investing heavily in academic research and startup incubators. The country's National Quantum Strategy is funding new university programmes, while Waterloo's "Quantum Valley" serves as a bridge between research and industry. Canadian policymakers believe that by strengthening the connection between universities and businesses, they can create a sustainable pipeline of talent.
Europe
In Europe, the strategy is more collaborative. Instead of individual countries developing their own quantum talent pools, the European Union has invested in large-scale, cross-border initiatives. The Quantum Flagship Programme, a billion-euro, ten-year project, is training thousands of researchers across multiple countries. The European Competence Framework for Quantum Technologies is working to standardise quantum education, making it easier for professionals to work across different nations.
Poland, a rising power in the field, is rapidly expanding its quantum programmes through government-backed research initiatives. It has partnered with leading European firms, and its scientists are helping to build one of the continent's first large-scale quantum computing centres. Poland is also an active participant in the European Quantum Computing & Simulation (EuroQCS) initiative through EuroQCS-Poland, which provides a digital, gate-based quantum computer at the Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Center (PSNC).
- EU Coordination: The Quantum Flagship and QuantERA support quantum research and workforce training, promoting transnational collaboration.
- European Competence Framework for Quantum Technologies: Standardizes quantum education across EU nations, ensuring graduates meet industry needs.
- EuroQCI Initiative: Focuses on secure quantum communication, creating a surge in cybersecurity-related quantum jobs.
- Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA): A Released in February 2024, this roadmap outlines Europe's quantum strategy, emphasizing equality, diversity, and integration of quantum technologies into different sectors.
- National Programs: Countries such as Czechia, Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, Spain, Poland, and the Netherlands invest heavily in workforce training, integrating education, research, and industry. The UK, though no longer in the EU, backs doctoral training centers focused on QT.
- Polish Involvement: EuroQCS-Poland is developing one of Europe’s first large-scale quantum computing centers, while polish tech companies are collaborating with global leaders like IQM Quantum Computers (Finland) to accelerate commercial adoption.
How Businesses are Approaching the Quantum Talent Shortage
The companies that are serious about quantum technology are not waiting for universities and governments to catch up. They are taking matters into their own hands. Some of the biggest players have launched their own quantum education initiatives.
The most notable is IBM, which has pledged to train 30 million people in new technology fields, including quantum computing, by 20304. Through its IBM Quantum Learning programme, the company offers free and paid courses to introduce professionals, students, and even complete beginners to quantum concepts. Google, meanwhile, has integrated quantum training into its Google Quantum AI division, partnering with universities and offering hands-on learning through cloud-based quantum processors.
Startups are also stepping in, actively training the next generation of quantum experts by offering workshops, internships, and even hiring candidates with non-quantum backgrounds, then training them in-house.
The financial sector is another industry moving quickly to upskill employees. Firms like JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs are investing in quantum research, but they also recognize that they need talent to apply these discoveries to real-world problems5. Some banks are partnering with quantum computing startups, while others are sponsoring university research to ensure a steady pipeline of trained professionals.
In some cases, businesses are reshaping education itself. Several corporations have teamed up with universities to create specialised quantum programmes tailored to industry needs. For example, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has partnered with institutions like Harvard6, while the University of Chicago received support from both IBM and Google7.
Even outside of direct partnerships, companies are working to make quantum education more accessible. Programs like Qubit by Qubit, which is run by The Coding School, are introducing quantum mechanics to high school students, ensuring that the next generation enters the workforce with at least a foundational understanding of quantum technology.
Next Steps
While these efforts are helping to close the talent gap, they are still not enough.
The reality is that no single company or country can solve the problem alone. The U.S. model, led by big tech, is fast-moving and focused on immediate workforce deployment. The Canadian strategy, rooted in academia, aims to build a sustainable quantum ecosystem. The European Union's cross-border efforts encourage international collaboration and knowledge sharing.
For businesses, waiting for universities to catch up is not an option.
The companies that will lead in quantum will be the ones that invest in talent today, by developing in-house training programs, partnering with academic institutions, and taking an active role in shaping the next generation of quantum experts.
For quantum technology to reach its full potential, the entire ecosystem—businesses, universities, and governments—must work together to build the workforce of the future.
The race is on. The only question is: who will be ready?
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