Bridging the Quantum Workforce Gap: A Scalable Community College Engagement Framework

Introduction

Quantum information science and engineering (QISE) is an emerging field that leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to enable new technologies in computing, sensing, communications, materials science, and other industries. As public and private investments accelerate, demand for a skilled quantum workforce continues to grow. 

The rapidly evolving quantum industry presents a transformative opportunity and an urgent challenge to build a scalable and skilled workforce capable of meeting national demands. Despite significant investments in four-year and graduate-level quantum education, there remains a critical and under-addressed gap in workforce readiness: the two-year community college pipeline to industry. Although some institutions are incorporating quantum content into associate and bachelor’s programs, QuSTEAM is addressing a critical gap in support for two-year institutions in this emerging field.

QuSTEAM, a national nonprofit coalition of academic institutions, industry partners, and government stakeholders, proposes a flexible, multi-tiered, and validated framework for engaging community colleges in QISE education. Informed by work with institutions such as Columbus State Community College and others, this model is not theoretical but grounded in practice.  This white paper outlines a strategic model for near-term implementation and long-term scalability in response to expected federal and state funding opportunities.

Why Community Colleges?

Community colleges enroll nearly half of all U.S. undergraduates and serve as key entry points to postsecondary education, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields (Van Noy & Zeidenberg, 2014). Their strong ties to local industries and responsiveness to regional economic needs make them well-suited for workforce-aligned training programs (NASEM, 2012).

Furthermore, community colleges are well-positioned to address workforce shortages in STEM fields, which vary by region and are influenced by access to high-quality STEM programming (Hagedorn & Purnamasari, 2012). These institutions offer practical, job-focused training and maintain strong ties to local industries, serving the 71% of the STEM workforce that does not have a graduate degree (Graf et al., 2018). However, they have not been meaningfully integrated into the growing quantum workforce development ecosystem.

According to the National Science Foundation (2024), these institutions offer substantial technical STEM education, including sub-baccalaureate programs that lead directly to employment. Given the regional nature of many workforce shortages and uneven access to quality STEM programs, scalable involvement of community colleges is essential (Hagedorn & Purnamasari, 2012). They also maintain robust partnerships with employers through both credit and noncredit programs (Belfield & Brock, 2023; ACE, 2019), yet remain underutilized in national quantum workforce strategies.

Strategic Alignment and Readiness

QuSTEAM’s approach is rooted in a clear mission: to advance undergraduate quantum education and build a skilled, effective workforce through a national network of academic institutions, private sector partners, and instructors. This initiative reflects that mission by supporting the development and delivery of curriculum modules, strengthening educator collaboration, and connecting community colleges with research universities to broaden participation in QISE.

By leveraging its existing infrastructure and proven strategies, QuSTEAM is prepared to scale this work quickly and effectively in response to upcoming funding opportunities.

Our Vision: A Scalable Community College Engagement Framework

QuSTEAM proposes a scalable, phased approach to expanding quantum workforce readiness through strategic partnerships with academic institutions and industry. One of the most critical, and critically underserved, sectors of the workforce centers around community colleges. Our strategy is designed to meet institutions where they are, the framework can be implemented at varying levels of investment and geographic reach while maintaining a consistent focus on workforce development, faculty support, and student success.

At the foundational level, QuSTEAM will partner with a cohort of community colleges in key states where it already has established relationships and engagement opportunities. Initial efforts will focus on piloting QISE curriculum modules, supporting faculty implementation through training and onboarding, and providing students with opportunities to engage in quantum learning through scholarships, stipends, and experiential activities. Lessons learned during this phase will be used to refine instructional tools, implementation strategies, and evaluation methods.

As the initiative expands, QuSTEAM will support regional networks of community colleges in emerging quantum hubs across the country including, where possible, partnering with nascent regional workforce development efforts already under way. This phase will emphasize faculty development through cohort-based training programs, workshops, and communities of practice that foster peer learning and collaboration. QuSTEAM will also work with academic institutions, industry partners, workforce agencies, and economic development organizations to establish regional consortia that strengthen workforce pathways and support the development of stackable credentials and certifications aligned with industry needs.

At full scale, QuSTEAM envisions a national community college engagement initiative that reaches institutions across the United States. Through a competitive application process, participating colleges will receive implementation support to integrate QISE content into existing technical, STEM, and associate degree programs. Industry partnerships will be activated to create internship, apprenticeship, mentorship, and job placement opportunities for students. Digital learning tools, virtual laboratories, and adaptive instructional resources will further expand access and help ensure consistent program quality nationwide.

Throughout all phases, QuSTEAM will serve as the coordinating backbone organization, leveraging its national network of academic institutions, industry partners, and instructors to provide curriculum resources, faculty development, technical assistance, stakeholder engagement, and program evaluation. This flexible model enables communities to begin building quantum workforce capacity immediately while creating a pathway toward long-term national impact.

Key Program Components

This framework includes ready-to-deploy curriculum modules covering quantum sensing, quantum computing, and foundational concepts in QISE. Faculty development will be supported through summer institutes, online professional learning opportunities, and ongoing instructional assistance. Students will engage in hands-on learning experiences through industry-informed projects, workshops, virtual laboratories, and career exploration activities. Workforce pathways will be strengthened through mentorship opportunities, employer engagement, internships, and emerging credentialing options. A continuous improvement process, supported by data collection and evaluation, will ensure that the framework remains responsive to workforce needs and scalable over time.

Partnership Opportunities

QuSTEAM welcomes opportunities to collaborate with community colleges, industry leaders, organizations with a synergistic focus on workforce development (e.g. Chicago Quantum Exchange, Elevate Quantum, etc.), government agencies, foundations, and research institutions that share a commitment to expanding the nation's quantum workforce. Through strategic partnerships, QuSTEAM aims to accelerate access to quantum education, strengthen workforce pathways, and prepare learners for careers in one of the most important emerging technology sectors of the 21st century.

References

American Council on Education. (2019). Preparing the workforce in today's community colleges. https://www.acenet.edu/Documents/Preparing-the-Workforce-in-Todays-Comty-Colleges.pdf

Belfield, C., & Brock, T. (2023). How important are community colleges in promoting STEM? ERIC. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED632568.pdf

Hagedorn, L. S., & Purnamasari, A. V. (2012). A realistic look at STEM and the role of community colleges. Community College Review, 40(2), 145–164.https://doi.org/10.1177/0091552112443701

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2012). Community colleges in the evolving STEM education landscape: Summary of a workshop. The National Academies Press. https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/13399/chapter/2

National Science Foundation. (2024). U.S. National Science Foundation investing $14.5M in inaugural Innovation in Two-Year College STEM Education awards. https://www.nsf.gov/news/us-national-science-foundation-investing-145m-inaugural

Van Noy, M., & Zeidenberg, M. (2014). Hidden STEM producers: Community colleges’ multiple contributions to STEM education and workforce development. National Academies STEM Education Report. https://sites.nationalacademies.org/cs/groups/dbassesite/documents/webpage/dbasse_088831.pdf

Graf, N., Fry, R., & Funk, C. (2018, January 9). 7 facts about the STEM workforce. Pew Research Center.

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Work With Us: QuSTEAM is Hiring Associate Consultants

QuSTEAM is seeking curriculum developers and subject matter experts to join our team as Associate Consultants. In this role, you will help design curriculum modules and advance QISE education for two-year community colleges.

If you are interested in lending your expertise to build a skilled quantum workforce, we would love to connect with you!

Click here to complete our brief Interest Form: https://forms.gle/ZNRQY4PGmgcZ8pp89.