ABCN’s vision is to see all young Australians thrive in the future world of work, regardless of socio-economic status background. As part of this mission, we consult with our unique network of leading businesses and partner schools on research and advocacy where we can provide a compelling perspective.
Our key focus areas are:
- how schools and the business can work together to help prepare young people for their post-school futures, and
- how to address social inequity so that young people from disadvantaged backgrounds are able to create the extraordinary lives they are capable of.
Below is a selection of our recent reports and submissions.
Research shows the long-term benefits of mentoring
Business mentoring programs boost the confidence and skills of students from low-socio economic backgrounds, laying the foundation for more positive post-school outcomes 10-12 years later, a study of ABCN students has shown.
How mentoring bridges the disadvantage gap
In October-December 2021, ABCN partnered with the Centre for Social Impact to explore the outcomes for 329 students who had participated in ABCN programs between 2018 and 2020. Students ranged from Year 8 to Year 12. The research found that ABCN students showed substantial and sustained benefits in knowledge of pathways, enterprise skills and life skills. Students reported significant improvements in aspirations, post-school planning and attitudes towards the future world of work, up to three years after their ABCN programs. These findings point to the real and lasting benefits our mentoring programs play in supporting disadvantaged young people.
How to prepare young people for digital futures
In 2021, ABCN conducted research to understand the impact of the digital divide on young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, and how this has changed due to the pandemic. This report discusses how best to prepare young people for an increasingly digitised world of work. Our findings point to three vital approaches to support them: providing devices and data in a sustained way to ensure all young people are equipped to learn effectively; supporting educators who need technology upskilling; and engaging business to build young people’s understanding of digital skills in a workplace context, and to provide exposure to the breadth of opportunities in digital careers. Read our report.
How to deepen digital skills in the national curriculum
In 2021, ABCN made a submission to the review of the national curriculum conducted by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. In our submission relating to Digital Technologies and Digital Literacy, we noted that, in our experience and that of our schools and member companies, many young people who are finishing school do not have the digital capabilities that are required to enter the workforce in general roles. Amongst other recommendations, we called for Digital Technologies to be a compulsory subject in the curriculum until the end of Year 10.
Read our submission.
How to boost general skills in the national curriculum
In 2021, ABCN made a submission to the review of the national curriculum conducted by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. In our submission relating to General Capabilities (Personal & Social Capability, Critical & Creative Thinking, Intercultural & Ethical Understanding), we noted that there is a major gap in the curriculum in its lack of linkages to the world of work. Amongst other recommendations, we called for an additional cross-curriculum area to be considered around the world of work to make the curriculum more relevant and purposeful for students.
Read our submission.
What schools want from business
In 2019, ABCN commissioned the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) to survey school leaders around Australia to learn what schools want from business. More than 90% of survey respondents said they wanted to increase their current engagement. The top benefits were identified as increasing students’ career aspirations, boosting their engagement in learning and developing their ‘future of work’ capabilities.
Read the ACER report.
Read ABCN’s media release.
Learn more about our research concerning the impact of our programs on students and mentors.
