CNM Receives Federal Funding for Quantum Learning Lab and Training Program
CNM has received $862,000 in federal funding to establish a quantum science lab and develop a quantum training bootcamp to support the fast-growing workforce needs of this emerging field. The initiative is part of a larger $7.1 million project sponsored by Sen. Ben Ray Lujan to support 10 key projects across New Mexico.
“Over the course of the next few years we’re going to see quantum become more applicable to solving real world problems, which will require more technicians to build and maintain quantum systems,” says Brian Rashap, CNM Ingenuity instructor. “With this funding, CNM will be at the forefront of building and training that workforce.”
This will be a team effort, which includes partners Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratories, and the University of New Mexico. CNM Ingenuity will manage the quantum science lab. The initiative has been in the works for the past year with a focus on creating a specialized quantum program similar to CNM Ingenuity's other successful Deep Dive bootcamps, which include 10- and 12-week bootcamps focused on coding, data science, digital media, the internet of things, and others that prepare learners for quality employment after completion.
Now that CNM has secured the federal funding, Brian and his team are working diligently to have the Quantum Learning Lab (QuLL) and curriculum ready to run the first bootcamp at FUSE Makerspace in spring 2025.
Through the bootcamp, students will learn about quantum computing processes, vacuum systems, and lasers and optics to meet the growing quantum workforce needs. By the end of the 10-week program, students will have the necessary skills to build, operate, and maintain several types of commonly used quantum systems. They will also have the skills to become technicians in adjacent fields including semiconductor, solar, and opto-electronics.
“Like our other Deep Dive courses, students will learn the theory and then immediately apply that theory through hands-on activities in the QuLL,” Brian explains.
Along with the quantum certification students will earn through CNM Ingenuity, CNM’s School of Math, Science, and Engineering is also developing an engineering technician program that will recognize the quantum bootcamp as Credit for Prior Learning.
Over the next several months Brian and his team will get the QuLL ready at FUSE Makerspace and finalize the bootcamp curriculum with the help of current quantum scientists from Sandia National Labs. While there is still work to be done between now and spring 2025, Brian is looking forward to offering a program that is not only unique to the state of New Mexico, but the entire country.
“There are very few formal quantum training programs like this, so it’s incredibly special that CNM is paving the way in that sense,” Brian says. “We’re designing this program to serve employers and students in a really cutting-edge way, so if you’re interested in this kind of hands-on, innovative training this is the place to be.”
If you have questions about this program or would like to learn more, please email workforce@cnm.edu or call 505-224-5200.