Front Range Community College will play a pivotal role in the region’s new quantum tech hub.
The Elevate Quantum coalition—of which FRCC is an active partner—has received an award from the US Department of Commerce that will unlock more than $127 million in new federal and state funding. The investment is expected to cement the Mountain West’s status as a global leader for innovation in quantum technology. The money will support Elevate Quantum’s efforts to create 10,000+ new quantum jobs and educate 30,000 workers over the next decade.
Elevate Quantum was selected as one of 12 tech hubs around the country to receive this major federal implementation grant—the only one focused on quantum technology. With $40.5 million in initial funding from the US Department of Commerce and matching funds from Colorado ($77 million) and New Mexico ($10 million), Elevate Quantum is calling this investment “a down payment on the next 50 years of US quantum leadership.”
FRCC is an active participant in this regional consortium, which is made up of 120 organizations working together to strengthen the Mountain West’s quantum workforce over the next decade.
“FRCC will play a pivotal role in training Colorado’s quantum workforce,” said FRCC President Colleen Simpson, EdD, who serves on Elevate Quantum’s board of directors. “Our programs are already training the highly skilled technicians needed for the quantum industry. We’re also working with our partners to identify new offerings that will align with the needs of being a quantum tech hub.”
Building the Quantum Workforce
FRCC will support Elevate Quantum in reaching its goal of helping workers develop new skills for quantum jobs. Many of these jobs don’t require advanced degrees, which means the industry offers a vast array of employment opportunities across different educational backgrounds. The average quantum job pays more than $125,000 per year.
Critical jobs in this field will include machinists, soldering technicians, welders and other technical roles—and FRCC already offers high-quality programs in related fields such as:
“FRCC’s Center for Integrated Manufacturing is the ideal place to start training Colorado’s quantum workforce,” said Janel Highfill, FRCC’s Associate VP of Workforce Development. “By building on our existing programs and infrastructure, we can create specialized training that aligns with the needs of the quantum industry.”
Optics Skills Are Quantum Skills
Because FRCC offers a high-tech optics technology program, the college is well positioned to help build the quantum workforce Colorado needs today and as the industry expands. The college’s well-established Optics & Laser Tech program focuses on training optics, photonics and laser technicians—who are all critical to the quantum workforce.
FRCC’s optics program offers students two options: a shorter-term certification and a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree. By further expanding this program, FRCC will be able to include even more quantum applications in its advanced course curriculum.
As the largest community college in Colorado, FRCC works closely with businesses across all sectors of the economy to design training that aligns with specific industry needs.
“Colorado’s tech hub designation will enable us to build out our curriculum and lab spaces to teach more of these critical quantum-related skills,” Highfill said. “We can’t wait to expand our programs and incorporate quantum skills into more of our offerings.”
Providing Inclusive Opportunity Through Quantum Education
Elevate Quantum and its partners are committed to equity and diversity. The coalition aims to have 40% inclusion of traditionally underrepresented groups in quantum jobs and leadership roles within a decade.
“FRCC’s mission is to make educational access and success attainable for all,” said President Simpson. “This is a key part of who we are as an institution, which makes us uniquely well positioned to help Elevate Quantum reach its inclusivity goals.”
As an open-access institution, FRCC focuses on serving historically underserved populations. Our students are:
• 48% first-generation college students
• From 55 countries
• 32% Pell Grant eligible
• 34% students of color
About Front Range Community College
Front Range Community College offers more than 200 degrees and certificates in a wide variety of programs from locations in Boulder County, Larimer County and Westminster—as well as online. FRCC is a member of the Colorado Community College System.
About the Colorado Community College System
The Colorado Community College System (CCCS) is the state’s largest system of higher education, serving 114,000 students annually at 13 colleges and 35 locations across Colorado. Our open access mission ensures all Coloradans who aspire to enrich their lives have access to quality higher education opportunities.
About Elevate Quantum
Elevate Quantum, Inc. (EQ) is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to advancing quantum information technology through research, innovation, and collaboration. By fostering a vibrant startup ecosystem and providing world-class resources, Elevate Quantum aims to secure the Mountain West’s role as a global leader in quantum technologies, ensuring regional economic growth and national security far into the future.
