About Us: Purpose at the Heart of Progress

From our roots as volunteers running programmes that helped young people see their potential and prepare for their future, MCB Business Partners was created to make that impact at scale. Today, we lead innovation that is rebuilding the ‘village’—bringing educators, industry, and government together to better prepare young people for the world ahead.

Our Story

MCB Business Partners was founded in 2017 by Duncan Burck with a clear and personal vision: to help young people navigate education and the critical transition from adolescence to becoming happy, thriving, and contributing members of society. Duncan’s passion for this work grew from decades of volunteering with youth and a deep belief that purpose-driven lives start with informed choices.

Duncan recognised early that education was the most powerful way to reach and support young people at scale. He saw educators as the key gatekeepers to their world and began building relationships with schools to create programmes that connect education, industry, and community. His goal was simple yet ambitious: give young people the chance to discover what interests them, understand where those opportunities exist, and experience them first-hand—so they can make confident, informed decisions about their future.

Starting with secondary education, Duncan and the team worked closely with educators to test and refine solutions. This hands-on approach revealed the real challenges in linking education and industry, and inspired Duncan to innovate new ways to make these partnerships work—not just for schools, but for businesses, governments, and most importantly, young people and their families.

Today, Duncan’s vision is realised through the methodologies and technology developed by MCB Business Partners. These solutions are transforming how education–industry partnerships operate, helping young Australians and communities across the country prepare for the future and seize the opportunities ahead.

Our SDG Commitments

At MCB Business Partners, we align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on education, innovation, economic growth, sustainable communities, and partnerships. By embedding these global principles into our business initiatives, we strive to make a meaningful impact on workforce development and community progress.

The Mission

To build a collaborative village that empowers and supports educators and communities in equipping young people with the skills, knowledge, mindset, confidence, and connections they need for the future.

The Vision

A world where educators, businesses, and communities unite to prepare young people to shape a sustainable, inclusive, and thriving society for generations to come.

Our Core Values

Diversity & Inclusion
We embrace diversity and inclusion as a cornerstone of our organisation and programmes. These values enrich our knowledge, skills, and attitudes, increasing our effectiveness and impact.

Our Next Generation
By listening, supporting, and encouraging young people to champion ideas for their communities now, we are building a sustainable pipeline of civic, economic, digital, and innovative talent for the future.

Open Collaboration
We believe in removing barriers to partnership and innovation. When we work together, we achieve better outcomes for all.