European Competence Framework for Quantum Technologies (CFQT)

Reference framework for planning, mapping and comparing QT-related educational activities, personal qualification and job requirements

Official version from the Publications Office of the European Union: https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2759/389764
For the EU publication, some editorial information has been added or moved within the document (mainly from page 3 to the new page 1), but the framework itself has not changed between the EU and Zenodo publications.

Would you like to create your own proficiency triangle coverage and content map selection? Try out the Profile Creation Tool by downloading the PowerPoint file and working on the prepared slide.

Feedback is always welcome. Please contact f.greinert@tu-bs.de.

Update to version 2.5 (April 2024):
Extension with a proficiency triangle [proficiency levels for three areas (I) quantum concepts (II) QT (HW & SW) engineering and (III) QT applications and strategies], as well as qualification profiles with example personas and (training) needs and suggestions. Read more in "Extending the European Competence Framework for Quantum Technologies: new proficiency triangle and qualification profiles", arXiv:2410.07692. Read more about the three parts in version 2.5 in the Quantum Flagship news: qt.eu/news/2024/2024-04-16_version-2.5-of-the-european-competence-framework-for-qt-published.

The European Competence Framework for Quantum Technologies aims to map the landscape of possible competences and skills in Quantum Technologies. Version 1.0 has been compiled by the QTEdu CSA in order to facilitate the planning and design of education and training projects in Quantum Technologies. Updated to version 2.0 in the Quantum Falgship CSA QUCATS. New in version 2.0: descriptions and examples for the proficiency levels, clearer structure and wording and addition of key skills.

More information on qtedu.eu: qtedu.eu/european-competence-framework-quantum-technologies

The Competence Framework was developed in a bottom-up approach with input from a wide range of stakeholders. Between summer 2020 and spring 2021, input for the framework as well as predictions around the future quantum workforce were collected in an iterative study  (Phys. Rev. Phys. Educ. Res. 19, 010137), and the results were refined by conducting expert interviews for each domain. The publication of a Methodology and Version History by the European Commission provided a complete overview of the documentation process and the steps taken to arrive at the framework version 1.0. For version 2.0, feedback and usage experiences have been incorporated and events have been organised to involve the community. A report on the update and extension to version 2.0 is available in Front. Quantum Sci. Technol.: doi.org/10.3389/frqst.2023.1225733.

For the update to version 2.5 (preprint on the update available at arXiv:2410.07692), results from an industry needs analysis were included, an analysis of 34 interviews for the QUCATS project. This analysis is published as: Advancing quantum technology workforce: industry insights into qualification and training needs. EPJ Quantum Technol. 11, 82 (2024). 

Summary related publications:

• iterative study for initial input: Future quantum workforce: Competences, requirements, and forecasts
• until version 1.0: Methodology and Version History
• update to version 2.0: Towards a quantum ready workforce: the updated European Competence Framework for Quantum Technologies
• interview analysis for extension to version 2.5: Advancing quantum technology workforce: industry insights into qualification and training needs
• update to version 2.5: Extending the European Competence Framework for Quantum Technologies: new proficiency triangle and qualification profiles, arXiv:2410.07692