Partner with ABCN – join our network

The Australian Business and Community Network (ABCN) is a purpose-led, not-for-profit organisation that partners with businesses to strengthen educational equity and help young people build confidence, skills and access to the world of work.

For organisations, membership offers a practical way to align purpose with action. ABCN programs connect your people with students through structured, fully facilitated mentoring experiences that deliver measurable social impact while also supporting employee development, engagement and retention.

Connect with the ABCN partnerships team to learn more about becoming a member.

Why organisations partner with ABCN

Across Australia, many students grow up with limited access to professional networks, career insights or role models in business. This is not about talent. It is about access.

ABCN responds by bringing schools and businesses together in ways that are purposeful, evidence-informed and designed to work for both sectors. Our programs complement school-based careers education while giving employees a clear, supported pathway to contribute their skills and experience.

For organisations, this creates shared value across social impact, people strategy and reputation.

What membership delivers for your organisation

ABCN membership supports key organisational priorities across CSR, people and culture, ESG, diversity and inclusion, communications, and leadership development.

Organisations partner with ABCN to:

• Provide meaningful skilled volunteering opportunities that fit within busy working lives

• Build leadership, mentoring and coaching capability across diverse employee cohorts

• Strengthen employee engagement and sense of purpose

• Support diversity, equity and inclusion goals through sustained community partnerships

• Demonstrate credible, long-term commitment to educational equity

• Access impact reporting aligned to CSR and sustainability frameworks

• Join a national network of leading Australian companies committed to social mobility

ABCN works closely with each member to align programs with organisational goals, workforce capability priorities and available capacity.

What your people experience

Employees participate as volunteer mentors in small-group settings at their workplace, supported by ABCN facilitators and program managers.

Mentors consistently report that participation helps them:

• Develop stronger communication, listening and coaching skills

• Build confidence in leadership and people management

• Gain insight into different communities, generations and perspectives

• Feel proud of their organisation’s contribution to the community

ABCN manages program design, facilitation and school relationships allowing your teams to focus on meaningful engagement rather than logistics.

What students gain

ABCN partners with schools serving communities that face greater barriers to opportunity, particularly in access to professional networks and career exposure.

Through mentoring and workplace experiences, students:

• Build confidence engaging with adults and professional environments

• Develop enterprise skills relevant to the future world of work

• Gain insight into a wide range of industries and career pathways

• Strengthen their sense of agency and belief in what is possible

Program outcomes are measured through pre- and post-program evaluation, with results reported annually to members.

Learn more about the schools ABCN works with here.

Membership investment

Membership is tiered based on organisational size. Fees support program delivery, facilitation, evaluation and national coordination.

ABCN works with partners to ensure investment is aligned with scale, impact and organisational capacity.

Start a conversation

If you are exploring how your organisation can make a practical, credible contribution to educational equity while supporting your people and purpose goals, ABCN would welcome a conversation.

Contact the ABCN partnerships team to discuss membership and next steps.