# Train 150 quantum engineering apprentices by 2030

> “Meanwhile an £8 million expansion of UKRI’s QuEST Apprentices Programme will create new routes into skilled quantum jobs, helping employers train the engineering technicians and specialist quantum technicians needed to build, maintain and commercialise these technologies. By 2030 the scheme aims to equip 150 apprentices studying engineering subjects with the ability to support the growing UK quantum workforce, helping to maintain Britain as a global leader in the technology.”
>
> — HM Government; Press release (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade), 13 October 2026

- **Status:** Promised
- **Status ladder:** Promised → In plan → Legislated → Funded → Delivering → Delivered
- **Policy area:** [Education](https://ledgergov.uk/promises/area/education)
- **Speaker:** [HM Government](https://ledgergov.uk/actor/hm-government)
- **Made on:** 13 October 2026
- **Where:** Press release (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
- **Deadline:** 31 December 2030
- **Cost a year:** No costing published
- **Who it affects:** Apprentices studying engineering subjects, and employers training quantum technicians
- **When:** By 2030
- **Paid for by:** An £8m expansion of UKRI's QuEST Apprentices Programme
- **Quote source:** https://www.gov.uk/government/news/quantum-firms-backed-to-keep-railways-running-and-cut-waiting-lists-as-uk-harnesses-potential-of-future-tech (checked word for word on 16 October 2026; Open Government Licence v3.0)
- **Last updated:** 16 October 2026
- **Card:** https://ledgergov.uk/promise/uk-quantum-apprentices-150-2030

## Where it stands

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is expanding its QuEST Apprentices Programme by £8m, to help employers train the engineering technicians and specialist quantum technicians the industry needs. The release says the scheme "aims to" equip 150 apprentices studying engineering subjects by 2030; "by 2030" is read as 31 December 2030. It does not say how many apprentices the programme has now or when the expansion starts. The card moves when UKRI reports apprentice numbers.

## Timeline

- 13 October 2026, Promised: The government announces an £8m expansion of UKRI's QuEST Apprentices Programme, aiming to equip 150 engineering apprentices for the quantum workforce by 2030
- 31 December 2030, Deadline (to come): 150 apprentices due to be equipped through the QuEST Apprentices Programme by 2030

## About the cost

The government's own figure: an £8m expansion of UKRI's QuEST Apprentices Programme. The release gives no period, so no yearly figure is shown.

## Sources

- [Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade press release, 13 Oct 2026: Quantum firms backed to keep railways running and cut waiting lists as UK harnesses potential of future tech](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/quantum-firms-backed-to-keep-railways-running-and-cut-waiting-lists-as-uk-harnesses-potential-of-future-tech)

## Checks

- Checked automatically by AI Journalist, not yet verified by an editor.
- Checked by AI Journalist (automated) on 16 October 2026.

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