INCLUDE Projects

Sandia National Laboratories (Sandia) will partner closely with INCLUDE institutions to help develop the next generation quantum workforce for the Mountain West. One major INCLUDE project that the Sandia team will work on is the CNM led Quantum Learning Lab, where they will help co-develop and co-instruct the course alongside the CNM team. Additionally, the Sandia team will partner with others on projects across Elevate Quantum, providing subject matter expertise and ecosystem connections in support of INCLUDE and EQWC programming.

The Optics & Laser Technology Department at Front Range Community College (FRCC) is a vital resource for training the optics and photonics technicians that have the skills to build quantum devices. It has the only optics undergraduate program in the state of Colorado. The program’s in-person classrooms can be found in Longmont, CO in FRCC’s Center for Integrated Manufacturing (CIM), and was built up with strong support from local industry and federal grants. FRCC is strengthening Quantum-CCSS curriculum for inclusion into FRCC Associates of Applied Science Degree in Optics Technology and quantum topics to build awareness, as useful, into its Optics Certificate program. They are also integrating existing Quantum-CCSS topics into applicable FRCC optics coursework. They will also work with regional secondary schools to expand access to Quantum-CCSS ready optics training programs.  

CNM, in partnership with Sandia National Labs and the University of New Mexico, is leading efforts to launch a first of its kind quantum technician training program called the Quantum Learning Lab (QuLL). This first of its kind training program is an immersive 10-week (40 hours per week) Quantum Technician Bootcamp that will serve as a rapid workforce training program, and will help fill current workforce gaps within the Mountain West ecosystem. Once established, CNM will support other community college partners in the region to reproduce and expand the training. It will be part of CNM Ingenuity’s successful Deep Dive Technology bootcamps.

Emily Griffith Technical College is the public, postsecondary and adult education arm of the Denver Public School system and is one of three Area Technical Colleges in the Colorado Community College System. Emily Griffith provides hands-on and rigorous workforce-aligned education programs that meet industry employment needs. As part of the Elevate Quantum Include initiative, Emily Griffith is working with education and industry partners to build a Quantum Learning Lab and a Quantum Technician program. Graduates of the program will have the skills needed to get jobs in the growing quantum field. In addition, Emily Griffith is developing quantum-adjacent competencies to support teachers and learners across CTE programs in K-12 and postsecondary programs. 

University of Colorado provides the infrastructure and leadership necessary to coordinate the efforts of more than 10 partner organizations in INCLUDE. These organizations will collaborate to deliver comprehensive quantum and quantum-adjacent skills-based curriculum and training.

Fort Lewis College is delivering workshops on quantum computing, providing hardware and software for students in rural areas, and expanding access to hands-on quantum education. The team will also acquire a mobile lab and begin teaching quantum computing and physics labs in multiple locations starting in Year 2 of the grant. Additionally, the FLC team is developing quantum computing and physics modules for courses in computer programming, engineering design, and nanofabrication at Fort Lewis College, with the goal of sharing these resources with other institutions throughout the region. 

WISER will create accessible, tangible entry-points into the quantum workforce, focusing initially on K–12 students (rising and graduating seniors) and school counselors but soon after extending to adult learners and pathways. The program will begin with lab tours, and career spotlights that make quantum careers concrete and approachable. By seeing quantum professionals and technologies in action, students and counselors gain a real-world sense of the field before engaging with more abstract concepts. Alongside this, WISER will provide career awareness resources and pathway-building tools that highlight multiple routes into quantum. School counselors and educators will be equipped with guides, posters, and activities that translate quantum into everyday career guidance contexts.

NAU will utilize their Mobile Quantum – SparQS program to facilitate college preparatory experiences in the quantum workforce. Northern Arizona plays a key role in Arizona’s quantum science efforts, particularly through its partnership with the University of Arizona and Arizona State University in initiatives like the Arizona Quantum Boot Camp and the Center for Quantum Networks (CQN). These collaborations aim to advance quantum research and education, fostering the next generation of scientists and innovators in the field. 

The University of New Mexico (UNM) will partner with the CNM led Quantum Learning lab (QuLL), helping train the next generation quantum workforce. UNM will help inform QuLL curricula, partner to develop educational pathways from CNM into UNM, and engage with students directly in the program.

Homegrown Pathways is a rural, Western Colorado-based nonprofit with a mission to drive economic mobility by connecting rural youth and young adults to quality career and entrepreneurial pathways within their home region. Through innovative programs like Spark Lab and strategic partnerships across our communities and beyond, they equip young people to explore opportunities, develop skills, and build the connections needed to thrive in high-opportunity industries. In doing so, we aim to strengthen local economies and foster the next generation of rural innovators. As part of Elevate Quantum INCLUDE, Homegrown Pathways is developing a rural implementation strategy for quantum career pathways across the Rocky Mountain West.

Activate work will serve as the Quantum Flexible Pathways Strategy Consultant on this project to build a comprehensive implementation strategy for a Flexible Talent Pathway Ecosystem, accelerating Quantum innovation across the Rocky Mountain West. This includes the creation of a quantum skills repository as well as  the creation of an AI based infrastructure to connect educational providers to employers working to ensure needed job skills and educational preparedness are always connected. 

The Attainment Network emphasizes transparent and collaborative communication as a key part of its mission to build equitable education-to-workforce systems. A major component of its strategy involves connecting diverse partners—including educators, industry leaders, and government—to align goals and develop innovative career pathways. The organization also employs a robust external communications strategy to promote awareness and use of state-level initiatives.  The organization is responsible for creating the EQ INCLUDE Pathways strategic communications implementation plan.