The Next Wave: FLiQC Meets Future Quantum Talent at SQA Careers Fair

25 May, 2026

Australia’s quantum workforce pipeline was front and centre at Sydney Quantum Academy’s Quantum Future Talent 2026 Careers Fair, where FLiQC engaged directly with the next generation of PhD candidates.

Held on 18 May at the Sydney Masonic Centre, the free event drew more than 30 employers and university representatives, reflecting the scale of an industry projected to reach $6 billion and employ nearly 19,400 Australians by 2045.

FLiQC used the day to connect with students weighing up doctoral pathways, fielding a question that came up repeatedly: what makes an industry-embedded PhD different from a traditional one? The answer lies in the structure, candidates work alongside industry partners on real problems, building professional experience and research depth simultaneously.

Adding a personal dimension to the day, the fair also provided an opportunity to meet face-to-face with several prospective candidates who had applied for the FLiQC scholarship round that recently closed, putting names to applications and beginning what may become the next chapter of the FLiQC cohort.

The event closed with a panel discussion chaired by Dr. Cathy Foley, featuring FLiQC Chief Investigator Dr. Maria Kieferova alongside representatives from industry partners Silicon Quantum Computing and Diraq.