Given the complex nature of quantum technologies and their longer-term impact on a wide range of research and industry domains, education and training lie at the core of the CERN Quantum Technology Initiative. CERN QTI implements most of its R&D activities as a PhD-level programme and in collaboration with relevant academic institutes with proven expertise in the field. This approach allows to create synergies between CERN and academic institutes active in the quantum technology fields and to start creating knowledge and skills for future activities.

A programme of exchanges in the form of visiting professorships and scientific associates is being established as a further mechanism of knowledge sharing across institutes and to build expertise within the Organization.

Education and training events are being organised in collaboration with academic and industry partners to speed up the establishment of a solid foundational layer of competencies across the different CERN R&D and engineering activities. Proven expertise in the organisation of academia-industry training programmes is already available at CERN through projects such as CERN openlab and is also provided to CERN QTI. 

A first introductory course about quantum computing took place in November and December 2020 in collaboration with the University of Oviedo that showed the scope of interest in quantum technologies across the world with more than 1500 live participants in many of the proposed lectures. The course material has even been translated into Russian by volunteers for Russian-speaking audiences.