Expanding the National Laser, Optics, Photonics, and Fiber Optics Technical Workforce

Providing a Broad Range of Resources to Academic and Industry Programs

Quantum Technician Skills and Competencies for the Emerging Quantum 2.0 Industry

EdQuantum and LASER-TEC sought input from the quantum industry as to what skills and competencies should a future quantum technician possess to support its emerging needs. This paper presents the results of the survey conducted.

OER Resources for Three Courses are Now Available for Direct Download

The courses, "Quality Assurance of Precision Optics,” “Light and Lasers,” and “Optical Devices,” were developed by Dr. Brian Monacelli under the NSF ATE optics, photonics, and lasers technical educational curriculum (OPAL-TEC) development grant #1801019.

Attend Optics & Photonics Symposium and Festival on April 12, 2023 at IRSC

Join industry and educational leaders to discuss the current and future state of optics and photonics, prevalent issues, education, and workforce development. Attend the Optics and Photonics Festival immediately following the Symposium and enjoy demonstrations and activities, and tour IRSC’s cutting-edge labs. Industry Symposium (invite-only): 2:00–5:00 p.m., Community Festival: 5:00–7:00 p.m.

Pre-College Students and Parents

Explore laser and fiber optics applications, discover careers, and find out more about choosing to study this exciting field.

College Students and Graduates

Find resources to help you get ready for employment. Learn more about companies looking to hire laser and fiber optics technicians.

Educators


Search professional development workshops and courses, curriculum materials, and other educational materials.

Veterans


Map your military occupation code to a photonics degree and find a LASER-TEC college near you to leverage your prior military training.

Industry


Join us for continuing education training and let us assist you with finding qualified laser and fiber optics technicians.

Unemployed and Career Changers

Learn about career paths and job perspectives in photonics-enabled technologies that offer financial stability and professional growth.

Books

Explore textbooks, lesson plans, and experiment guides to help introduce lasers and fiber optics in your courses. Available for middle schools, high schools, and colleges.

Course Modules

Best suited for college programs, these materials will help with modular infusion of lasers and fiber optics in electronics engineering, industrial manufacturing and other related college programs.

Laboratory Kits

We developed and assembled a series of educational kits that support hands-on exploration and experiments in lasers and fiber optics. Learn more about our kits.

Posters

Supplement your teaching of lasers and fiber optics with our collection of educational posters.

Student-semester-hours of photonics education offered

Outreach events hosted

Participants attend our events

Workshops offered for teachers and faculty

Teachers and college faculty attended our workshops

Educational kits distributed to US colleges and high schools

May 5, 2022

Diligence Turns Mid-Career Shock into Successful Photonics Technician Career

April 20, 2022

Quantum Technician Skills and Competencies for the Emerging Quantum 2.0 Industry

August 15, 2021

Quantum Photonics Technician Education Program