The United Nations has declared 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, marking a century since the development of quantum mechanics.
As the Quantum Australia Conference takes place this week, discussions are focused on the nearly 20,000 workers needed in the quantum sector by 2045.
Swinburne University’s quantum leaders, including Chief Scientist Professor Virginia Kilborn, Associate Professor Tapio Simula, and Professor Jeffrey Davis, highlight the necessity of a new skillset for the next generation of quantum professionals.
“The next hundred years will be a golden age of quantum technologies,” said Professor Kilborn. “We will see entirely new kinds of quantum devices and solutions that will revolutionise the way we live, work, and communicate, creating new quantum industries.”
She added that the challenges ahead are often not related to quantum physics itself, but rather the industries, engineering, and software that support it.
Associate Professor Simula noted that meeting these challenges requires a broad range of expertise. “We need people who can design quantum technologies, build them, finance them, program them, use them, and explain them—skillsets that span multiple disciplines and educational backgrounds.”
Professor Davis pointed out that traditional education pathways may not be sufficient to meet industry demands.
“High-level quantum physics is currently only taught to physics students in a handful of universities. Even if these programs expanded rapidly, they would not provide the diverse expertise needed for the industry to grow at the required pace.”
To address this, Swinburne’s experts propose an innovative approach to quantum education, starting at the primary and high school levels to establish fundamental quantum literacy.
They suggest rapid upskilling programs for employees in critical technology sectors and the development of strong undergraduate and postgraduate programs focused on practical applications of quantum technologies rather than just theoretical foundations.
Additionally, they advocate for training professionals who can bridge the gap between quantum technology specialists and potential industry users.
Future vocational courses, they suggest, should focus on quantum manufacturing, computing operations, and technician training to support the maintenance and development of quantum technologies.
“We will know we have succeeded in elevating the quantum IQ of our society when we have thriving industries powered by a quantum-literate workforce with diverse educational and training pathways,” said Professor Kilborn.
“I’m excited for the day that we’re chatting about superposition and entanglement around the water cooler instead of the weather!” she added.
