Insider Brief
- AI Launch Lab and Numana have launched the Quantum Ready Program to provide Québec CEGEP students with hands-on, industry-informed training in quantum computing, quantum communications, and quantum-safe security.
- The program focuses on applied projects and early quantum literacy to bridge the gap between academic education and emerging workforce needs in a post-quantum security landscape.
- Delivered fully online with industry mentors from Nokia and Honeywell, the 10-week program is open to both STEM and non-STEM students across Québec and Canada.
Guest Post by Quantum Ready Team at AI Launch Lab
At a time when students are questioning the value of traditional education, facing rising tuition costs, and struggling to secure meaningful employment after graduation, AI Launch Lab, in partnership with Numana, is offering Québec college students an applied learning opportunity in quantum technologies. The initiative addresses a growing gap between academic instruction and the skills required for emerging technology careers.
The Quantum Ready Program introduces CEGEP students to quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum safe security concepts through hands-on, industry informed projects. The objective is to give students early exposure to technologies that are already shaping the future of computing, cybersecurity, and innovation, well before they enter an increasingly uncertain job market.
Why This Matters Now
Quantum technologies are rapidly moving from research environments into real world applications. While quantum computing continues to advance, quantum communication is increasingly explored as a way to protect sensitive data. At the same time, experts warn that today’s encryption methods may not remain secure in a quantum enabled future.
Canada’s Cyber Centre has highlighted the growing risk of “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later,” a strategy in which adversaries collect encrypted data today with the intent to decrypt it once sufficiently powerful quantum systems become available. As a result, organizations are being urged to prepare now for a post quantum future.
Against this backdrop, early quantum literacy is becoming a workforce necessity rather than a specialization reserved for graduate researchers.
Building on Proven Experience
For years, AI Launch Lab has focused on bridging talent gaps in emerging technologies, equipping students with practical skills in artificial intelligence and applied problem solving. Quantum Ready builds on this experience by emphasizing quantum literacy, AI enabled learning tools, and collaborative projects grounded in real world constraints.
“Students today are graduating into uncertainty,” says Timothy Pereira, Managing Director and Co-founder at AI Launch Lab. “They invest years and significant resources into education, yet many still struggle to find roles aligned with their skills. Quantum Ready was created to change that, by giving students access to emerging technologies, real world challenges, and industry mentorship while they are still in CEGEP.”
“Quantum Ready is a launchpad for the next generation of tech innovators to gain quantum knowledge,” adds Aditi Maheshwari, Program Manager & Quantum/AI Lead at AI Launch Lab. “Students gain foundational quantum literacy and learn how these technologies connect to real security, communication, and computing challenges, guided by people actively working in the field.”
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Unlike traditional lecture based programs, Quantum Ready immerses students in hands-on labs, team based challenges, and applied projects that make complex quantum concepts accessible to learners from diverse technical backgrounds.
Students collaborate in teams, explore real implementation trade offs, and present their work at the end of the program. Along the way, they develop not only technical understanding but also communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills that are essential in multidisciplinary technology environments.
“Our goal is to demystify quantum technologies for college students and give them early, hands-on exposure to real-world quantum challenges,” says Siddhika Bhandari, Program Director of the Quantum Ready Program at AI Launch Lab. “When students see how these technologies connect to practical challenges, their confidence and curiosity grow dramatically.”
Why Numana Is a Strategic Partner
The program is supported by Numana, Québec’s technology macro accelerator, which brings together industry, academia, and public sector partners to accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies.
One example is Kirq, Numana’s quantum communications testbed, designed to combine quantum and classical technologies under real world conditions in order to reduce cost and risk for organizations exploring quantum secure networks. Kirq has attracted significant ecosystem attention, including collaborations involving Nokia and Honeywell, focused on advancing practical quantum safe networking.
“Quantum is far too often considered as magic and we were looking for a way to educate a larger audience about quantum technology. What AI Launch Lab has achieved for AI literacy inspired us, and we wanted to work with them for a while. And with Numana starting to look into the possible convergence of quantum technologies and AI, this partnership became self-évident.” says Bernard Duval, CEO of Numana
This industry grounded perspective helps ensure students learn not only what quantum technologies could do, but how they are realistically deployed.
From Policy to Talent
The urgency is also reflected in public policy. On October 9, 2025, the Government of Canada released a Security Policy Implementation Notice (SPIN) directing federal departments and agencies to make measurable progress toward migrating systems to post quantum cryptography (PQC).
Programs like Quantum Ready help ensure Québec has the skilled talent required to implement these changes safely and effectively, translating policy goals into real world capability.
What Students Will Build
Applied project themes include:
- Quantum safe decision pathways, including when to use post quantum cryptography versus quantum communication concepts
- Threat modeling for long life sensitive data and harvest now, decrypt later scenarios
- Network security trade offs related to availability, operational resilience, and cost realism
Program Details
- Seats: 500 students
- Program length:10 weeks / 3.5 hours every Saturday
- Industry mentors: Nokia, Honeywell
- Application deadline: Thursday, January 22, 2026
- Program start: Saturday, January 24, 2026
- Location: 100% virtual, available for CEGEP students across Quebec and Canada
- Pre requisition – None. Applications are open to STEM and Non-STEM college students interested in gaining practical experience in emerging technologies.
Learn more and apply: https://quantum.launchlab.ai/en/
