Australian business and communication network

The Australian Business and Community Network (ABCN) is a not-for-profit organisation that connects business with education through mentoring and partnership programs.

Our aim is to provide students with the skills and work experience they require to make sound personal, educational and vocational choices. This is achieved through structured programs that involve corporate volunteers mentoring students in the workplace and business partnering with schools.

Our programs aim to improve the opportunities and outcomes for students from schools by raising aspirations and increasing their awareness of the personal, educational and vocational choices available. This is achieved through structured programs and mentoring by business professionals in a corporate environment, which also provide students with an insight into the modern workplace and access to business networks.

Year 11 focus group

The Focus program seeks to provide young women from high schools with the essential leadership skills they need to engage in a successful, meaningful career.

In virtually all sectors of the paid workforce in Australia, women are underrepresented in senior roles and leadership positions and are often paid less than their male counterparts. This gender disparity and inequality reinforces outdated stereotypes about the role of women in the workplace and wider society. To overcome this, we need to actively encourage more young women to take up the challenges of leadership and ensure they have access to the resources, opportunities and support they need to realise their potential.

Focus involves Year 11 female students working in small groups with female executives who act as role models and mentors. It aims to support young women to develop their leadership skills and aspire to senior roles in business and the community – to improve achievement and foster a sense of self-belief that will encourage students to aim high and have confidence in their leadership abilities.

Sessions include an introduction to leadership styles, realising strengths and creating a
leadership picture.

Year 11 aspirations

Aspirations is designed for high school students to broaden their awareness of career options and help them make informed decisions about their choices and pathways beyond school.

Research shows there is a growing gap between what young people learn at school and the skills that they need to be successful in the workplace. For students from high schools this is compounded by a lack of access to social networks, work opportunities and professional role models. In many cases, their choices beyond school are influenced by a lack of understanding about their own strengths and skills, limited knowledge about different pathways and no sense of entitlement to further education or career options outside the local community.

Aspirations focuses on Year 11 as this is a critical stage for students in determining what type of further education they will pursue, or whether they will continue with school at all. It enables students to engage in the workplace and build an understanding of the types of skills that are required in a modern work environment. Working in small groups, the sessions include interview techniques, developing essential employability skills and exploring post-school options.

Year 9 goals

GOALS is a one-to-one mentoring program designed to widen the life choices and aspirations of students in their middle year of high school and encourage them to complete high school.

Students from high schools generally have little opportunity to network outside their immediate community and are often lacking in professional role models who can demonstrate or encourage a variety of career options. This limited social network combined with financial constraints can result in a higher likelihood of leaving school early.

The focus of GOALS is to raise awareness of the wider personal, educational and vocational choices available, to maintain student engagement at school and to encourage the completion of Year 12 and further tertiary study.

Students are matched with a corporate mentor who has shared interests and experiences. They work in groups and individually in sessions that include setting goals, communication, managing finances and preparation for the workforce.

The 2018 GOALS program will be launched on WEdnesday13 June. Parents of selected students are welcome to attend the event and meet their child's business mentor.

Please contact Mrs Genua for further details on 9607 4222.