As quantum technologies transition from the laboratory into real‑world applications, organisations across sectors are confronting a critical need to understand how these may reshape industries, skills, and the global workforce. To meet this emerging demand, the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITCILO), Quantum Delta Leiden (powered by Leiden University | Quantum Delta NL), and Politecnico di Torino celebrated the launch of the Quantum Readiness for the World of Work Masterclass on Thursday 29 January 2026 at the ITCILO Innovation Lab, United Nations Turin Campus in Turin, Italy.

The event brought together experts, institutional partners, and innovation professionals to explore the programme’s aim: building foundations toward quantum literacy and supporting organisations in preparing for the workforce transformations expected over the coming decades.

Delivering opening remarks, ITCILO Director of Training Andreas Klemmer highlighted the role of the ITCILO in providing a safe space for experimentation with innovative capacity development solutions that accelerate social development. He grounded the newly launched Masterclass in a series of free and accessible training products asking how to leverage emerging technologies for good through a human-centred lens.

Connecting online as distinguished guest speakers, Jing Zhao (UNESCO) and Gillian Makamara (ITU) reflected on the impact that the International Year of Quantum 2025 has had in terms of fostering excitement around events promoting quantum education and inclusion. They each offered their own institutional perspective on the IYQ 2025, called for greater cooperation efforts to continue, and touched upon the key role UN specialized agencies have to play in bridging existing or potential digital divides.

Live at the ITCILO Innovation Lab, Alessia Messuti, Lead for Technology Enhanced Learning (LIP, ITCILO) highlighted how her work on the curation and roll-out of the ITCILO “Innovation Journey” Initiative (2025) created an environment in which 20 ITCILO officers working at the intersection of emerging technologies, capacity development and the world of work could inspire and learn from one another, anticipating technological advancements shaping training and learning.

As Keynote Speaker and Masterclass convenor for “The Global Quantum Technology Landscape”, Dimitri van Esch (EONCORE) called on the event’s live and online audiences to “act quickly” by equipping themselves with foundational quantum knowledge and skills to anticipate future hardware breakthroughs. He also underscored the power of gamification in bringing the world of quantum closer to 2.5+ million young online users.

In a dedicated panel featured during the Launch Event, Paola Abbate (LIP, ITCILO) facilitated a conversation between Professor Bartolomeo Montrucchio, Professor Matteo Cocuzza (Politecnico di Torino), Carlotta Clivio (DEVINVEST, ITCILO), Nicoletta Mongitto (Quantum Delta Leiden) and Dimitri van Esch. Invited experts touched upon the capacity development innovations they quantum technologies may bring in academic and training sectors; an invitation to taking steps toward quantum awareness and quantum literacy based on the findings of GESDA Intelligence Report on Quantum Diplomacy in Action 2025; and the role of Quantum Delta Leiden within the broader Quantum Delta NL ecosystem, alongside motivations behind the co-creation of the Masterclass on Quantum Readiness for the World of Work.

The Masterclass marks the culmination of a collaboration initiated during Quantum for Good, an event organised by Quantum Delta NL to celebrate the international Year of Quantum. During that occasion, Andreas Klemmer (Director of ITCILO) led a side‑track on quantum education—sparking the first discussions that would eventually develop into this joint educational initiative.

The initiative further strengthened the roles Quantum Delta Leiden, the ITCILO, Politecnico di Torino and GESDA played throughout the IYQ, making joint efforts toward the creation of free, inclusive and accessible training materials enabling the international community to start exploring issues lying at the intersection of quantum technologies, capacity development, and the world of work.

Bringing the Masterclass to life was a joint operational team split between Quantum Delta Leiden and the ITCILO, including:

• Paola Abbate, Learning Innovation Officer, Learning Innovation Programme, ITCILO, involved in the curation and completion of the entire portfolio of ITCILO Masterclasses since their first launch in 2023;

• Katia Caresio, Training Assistant coordinating efforts for the Masterclass Launch Event, Development Investment (DEVINVEST), ITCILO

• Carlotta Clivio, Quantum Focal Point, Coordinator at INTEGRŌ and Associate Programme Officer for Development Investment (DEVINVEST) at ITCILO, entrusted with curating the Masterclass on Quantum Readiness for the World of Work;

• Nicoletta Mongitto, Hub Manager at Quantum Delta Leiden, who oversaw the collaboration between institutions, ensuring alignment between scientific expertise and workforce oriented learning design;

• Cintia Perugachi, Educational Officer at Quantum Delta Leiden, who provided essential guidance and content development expertise;

• Carola Rodia, Administrative Assistant coordinating missions and expert contributions, DEVINVEST Programme, ITCILO

• Paolo Spadavecchia, Masterclass video director and post-producer;

• A network of quantum experts from Leiden University and across multiple Quantum Delta NL hubs and the Centre for Quantum & Society, whose contributions ensured scientific accuracy and interdisciplinary comprehensiveness.

“The launch of this Masterclass represents a meaningful step toward broadening societal understanding of quantum technologies. By partnering with ITCILO and Politecnico di Torino, we are able to connect scientific expertise with the evolving needs of the world of work. Ensuring that this programme is freely accessible reflects our commitment to fostering an inclusive and responsible approach to quantum innovation.”

— Jan Aarts, Director, Quantum Delta Leiden

“The ITCILO is exploring the nexus between emerging technologies and social justice; more specifically, we’re looking into the question of how can we harness emerging technologies for good. By co-creating a free and accessible training product with Quantum Delta Leiden and Politecnico di Torino and in knowledge partnership with GESDA, we’re taking strides into fostering an ecosystem of institutions striving to make quantum technologies and related knowledge truly inclusive”.

— Andreas Klemmer, Director of Training, ITCILO

The Quantum Readiness for the World of Work Masterclass is an online, free, and fully accessible programme that requires only registration on the ITCILO portal. It provides an introduction to quantum technologies and their emerging applications. Further information on modules, contributors, and enrolment is available on the programme website: https://www.itcilo.org/training/masterclass/quantum-readiness-world-work.

The scientific foundation of the programme benefited from contributions by researchers from Leiden University, including:

• Prof. Evert van Nieuwenburg

• Prof. Wolfgang Löffler

• Dr. Julia Cramer

• Dr. Stefano Polla

From Politecnico di Torino, including:

• Prof. Bartolomeo Montrucchio

• Prof. Matteo Cocuzza

From GESDA, including:

• Dr. Mira Wolf-Bauwens

For media requests related to the Masterclass on Quantum Readiness for the World of Work and further information, contact: quantum@itcilo.org