Helping marginalised students reach their full potential

The Australian Business and Community Network Scholarship Foundation (ABCN) is making a world of difference supporting marginalised students across Australia with their three-year Accelerate mentoring and scholarship program, supported by St.George Foundation.

Driven by its mission to create opportunities and support the educational and career pathways for high-potential young people facing socio-economic barriers, not-for-profit, ABCN Foundation has built a tailored program supported by ABCN’s string of corporate networks, dedicated to helping students achieve their dreams.

“We’re changing the narrative and enabling students from low socio-economic backgrounds the chance to broaden their aspirations. Our program helps them discover the career they want to pursue and supports them until they get there,” says Victora Bowring, Head of the ABCN Foundation.

Since 2013, ABCN has awarded 341 scholarships to students across Australia, offering tailored assistance based on year level, growth areas, and learning preferences, including face-to-face or online options. The Accelerate program, a three-year scholarship initiative, combines corporate mentoring with financial support, guiding students from Year 11 through to their first year of tertiary education or employment. What makes this program unique is the pairing of each student with a mentor from ABCN’s network of 50+ corporate partners and organisations, of which Westpac Group is one.

“Many of the students who apply for our program don’t have the same access to professional role models from a diverse range of careers and industries, as their peers.  We’re conscious that this kind of social capital is invaluable to these students.

“For many students, all it takes is that one conversation or interaction with someone beyond their immediate network that changes their lives. The social capital created through our mentoring program enables those opportunities and creates positive change in our students’ futures,” says Victoria.

Nima Ahmadi, an ABCN scholarship recipient who grew up in Western Sydney, is a prime example of the program’s success. He applied for the Accelerate program in November 2021 after encouragement from his school principal. Upon successful admission, he was paired with Tom Gregory, a Westpac Group employee who has been instrumental to his confidence and career growth.

“My relationship with Tom has always been very open. He’s always been there for me, and I’ve felt comfortable reaching out to him for support,” Nima recalls. 

“A highlight of the program were the visits with Tom to the Westpac offices, where I got a tour of a real corporate environment and where we conducted mock interviews together, which I found really helped me in my job search.”

Now, in the final year of his three-year scholarship, Nima has gained experience working as a Local Area Coordinator with the NDIS for the past 8 months and is now seeking new opportunities in the community services sector while also pursuing a Diploma of Community Services at TAFE.

“Seeing Nima’s transformation has been incredibly rewarding. When we first met, he was working in the hospitality industry but now he’s pursuing his passion of supporting people with disability,” says Tom.

Nima attributes the Accelerate program for the significant improvement in his public speaking skills as well as his overall confidence toward exploring new career pathways. 

“Public speaking and interacting in workshops, especially face-to-face, were intimidating at first. But ABCN’s workshops, especially the ones focused on communication and workplace readiness, helped me build the confidence I needed,” Nima recalls.

Tom emphasises the importance of mentorship in broadening students’ horizons. “Mentoring isn’t just about sharing knowledge; it’s about providing exposure to different career paths and environments,” he explains.

“Many students don’t know what’s possible until they see it, and that’s where mentorship plays a crucial role in a young person’s development.”

”I started as a graduate in the UK, and my career growth was made possible from certain people taking a chance on me. Looking back, those key moments and mentors really shaped who I am today, and I’ve always wanted to give that support back to someone.” ABCN Foundation has seen measurable success in supporting its students, collating quantitative and qualitative data to determine impact via student feedback surveys and national education benchmarks.

“By comparing our students’ education, training and employment outcomes to their peers, we’ve been able to gauge the effectiveness of our program.” Victoria says. In 2023, 95% of ABCN’s 2023 Scholars completed Year 12 or an equivalent qualification, compared to the 76% national average for students from low socio-economic backgrounds. Additionally, 91% of Year 3 program graduates were engaged in employment, education, or training, far surpassing the 59% national average for students at age 24 (Source: The Smith Family, 2022).

ABCN Foundation has been able to expand its impact thanks to a St.George Foundation 2024 Thrive Community Grant, enabling them to support three students from this year’s cohort.

Thanks to a St.George Foundation 2024 Thrive Community Grant, ABCN Foundation can broaden its reach and provide practical careers support and knowledge for student success, all the while opening doors that were once closed for young Australians experiencing inequity.

 

 

Are you a Westpac Group employee interested in becoming a mentor for the ABCN Foundation Accelerate program to inspire the next cohort of students? Please contact the ABCN Foundation team on acceleratescholarship@abcn.com.au. While you’re at it, learn more about St.George Foundation and its vision to ensure every child has an opportunity to thrive. #DoingGoodIsInOurDNA