CNM's Unique Mechanics for Developing a Quantum Workforce
CNM is blazing new ground in quantum and the rest of the country is paying attention.
Earlier this year the Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) named CNM and its technology partners recipients of the 2026 State and Local Economic Development Award for “The Land of Entanglement: New Mexico’s Quantum Future” project that’s building a first-of-its-kind quantum ecosystem in the state.
The award, which will be celebrated at the FLC National Meeting in Seattle, recognizes the collaboration between CNM, Sandia National Laboratories, the New Mexico Economic Development Department, the Office of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, and Roadrunner Venture Studios.
Since 2024, hundreds of millions of dollars have been allocated toward quantum in New Mexico, including $125 million via the Elevate Quantum consortium and a $315 million state investment package.
These investments immediately boosted existing quantum work being done at Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratories, and the Air Force Research Laboratory and spurred several start-up companies to set up shop across the state.
The only missing piece was a workforce that could support new high-level research, and that’s where CNM came in. The CNM Foundation provided funding to support construction of a Quantum Learning Lab, a necessary step for CNM to access state and federal funding. Next, the college kicked off the country’s first-ever 10-week Quantum Technician Bootcamp and that bootcamp has already graduated its second cohort of students.
“For every PhD researcher at a quantum company, they are going to need a handful of technicians to commercialize quantum systems,” says Brian Rashap, the instructor who leads the 10-week bootcamp. “These are economic base jobs, where every technician hired leads to hiring supporting individuals in areas like supply chain, logistics, transportation, and facilities as well as hospitality and retail to support them and their families. This translates to dozens of jobs in the community for each quantum hire. This is huge for New Mexico."
CNM Ingenuity currently offers the bootcamp and beginning September 2026 will introduce Engineering Technician in Photonics and Quantum Computer Technician certifications, plus the addition of vacuum systems courses in the Industrial and Industrial Automation Technician programs. All of these pathways are accessible to students without a math or science background.
To keep the momentum going, Rashap and his team are already eyeing workforce training and certifications in the complete quantum ecosystem, expanding to quantum-specific education in areas like science and administration.
Rashap also said that enrollment in the Quantum Technician Bootcamp will soon exceed its current 24-student bootcamp capacity but CNM is prepared to meet the need.
“The speed at which we can address both student and employer needs is unique, especially compared to four-year institutions,” Rashap says.
Most importantly, CNM’s quantum students are already landing engaging, essential, and well-paying jobs throughout the industry. Startups in New Mexico and other states are in contact to request a consistent and even larger graduate pipeline.
“On top of local and state-wide interest, companies in California, Colorado, and along the East Coast are actively recruiting our students,” Rashap says.
Ultimately, Rashap says CNM’s investment and ability to respond to workforce needs, along with strong backing from a wide group of supporting entities helped the college create not only a timely but unique opportunity that will have a large impact on the development of the quantum workforce.
“CNM is a driving force in moving from theory and research to actually manufacturing commercial products,” Rashap says. “We're changing the entire equation.”