For Immediate Release
Contact: Tassi Keith, Keeton PR, tassi@KeetonPR.com, 308-539-1883
DENVER, COLO. — Thurs., March 13, 2025 — ActivateWork, a leading workforce development organization dedicated to connecting job seekers with high-quality training, career coaching, and employer partnerships, announced today that it has been awarded the contract to develop a comprehensive strategy for a Flexible Talent Pathways Ecosystem aimed at accelerating quantum innovation across the Rocky Mountain West. This initiative will fast-track talent into the quantum and quantum-enabling workforce by offering upskilling and reskilling opportunities to graduating high school seniors, current workforce employees, and learners from both two-year and four-year degree programs.
With quantum poised to revolutionize industries, the need for a highly skilled workforce has never been greater. Currently in this industry, there are three job postings for every one qualified candidate. ActivateWork’s strategy will focus on fostering accessibility and career readiness by equipping learners with the technical and soft skills necessary to thrive in quantum-related fields. Through close collaboration with industry partners, academic institutions, and workforce organizations, ActivateWork will create a sustainable talent pipeline that bridges education with industry demand.
“We are thrilled to have been selected for this vital initiative,” said Helen Young Hayes, Founder and CEO of ActivateWork. “By developing sustainable employment pathways that empower individuals and strengthen communities, we will ensure that opportunity seekers have access to the training and resources to succeed in the rapidly evolving quantum computing sector.”
“Core to Elevate Quantum’s mission to accelerate the commercialization of quantum technologies is ensuring that we have the trained and credentialed workforce necessary to fill the new jobs that will be needed to make this mission a reality,” said Jessi Olsen, COO of Elevate Quantum. “This talent pathways work is crucial to ensuring that our workforce development strategy is in lockstep with industry needs. Through this work, we hope to make new quantum jobs accessible to all workers in the Mountain West.”
ActivateWork will collaborate with employers, educators, and community organizations to implement strategic workforce solutions that fill talent needs and enhance career outcomes. By leveraging data-driven approaches and industry partnerships, the strategy will bridge skill gaps, improve career outcomes, and ensure access to high-quality employment opportunities. ActivateWork plans to leverage the US Chamber of Commerce’s Talent Pipeline Management framework, as well as partner with Zal.ai’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled platform, to create scalable pathways.
The project will be managed by Elevate Quantum, an EDA-funded Tech Innovation Hub.
About ActivateWork
ActivateWork is a nonprofit talent solutions organization that transforms lives by training, launching, and coaching the next generation of technology stars. They are developing a vibrant tech talent ecosystem to fuel opportunity, growth, and prosperity for the Rocky Mountain region.
For more information, visit www.activatework.org.
###
[Contact information updated July 17, 2025)