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# MCB Business Partners

Building the Talent Pipelines for Our Future

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://mcbbp.com.au/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [MCB Business Partners Scales Net:Zed with Government and Industry Backing](https://mcbbp.com.au/2026/05/26/mcb-business-partners-scales-netzed-with-government-and-industry-backing/) - MCB Business Partners - Government & Industry backing to activate programs that link classrooms, industry and community to build real awareness and opportunities for young people across the Australia's evolving economy
- [Young Minds, Big Impact: Supporting the Future Makers Collaborative STEM Journey](https://mcbbp.com.au/2026/02/27/young-minds-big-impact-supporting-the-future-makers-collaborative-stem-journey/) - We’re proud to be involved as supporters and sponsors of this program, standing alongside an incredible ecosystem of educators, industry partners, and community leaders who are collectively reshaping what’s possible for students across the Illawarra.
- [What Do Young People Really Know About Net Zero?](https://mcbbp.com.au/2025/11/03/what-do-young-people-really-know-about-net-zero/) - As Australia accelerates toward a net‑zero future, one question continues to surface in our work with schools, industry, and government: What do young people actually understand about Net Zero — and do they see it as a future career opportunity? To help answer that, we recently completed two student surveys: One at the Lake Macquarie–Newcastle–Central
- [From Practice to Publication: Why Creativity Matters in Building Stronger Communities](https://mcbbp.com.au/2025/11/17/from-practice-to-publication-why-creativity-matters-in-building-stronger-communities/) - We’re excited to share an important milestone for MCB Business Partners. A chapter co‑authored by our CEO, Duncan Burck, has just been published in The Elephant’s Leg II — a curated collection exploring creativity in action across technology, economic development, and social innovation. While publication is an achievement in its own right, what makes this
- [Place, Partnerships, and Prosperity: Duncan Burck Presents at the National Economic Development Conference](https://mcbbp.com.au/2025/10/23/place-partnerships-and-prosperity-duncan-burck-presents-at-the-national-economic-development-conference/) - This week, MCB Business Partners CEO Duncan Burck is proud to be presenting at the Economic Development Australia (EDA) National Economic Development Conference, hosted right here in Newcastle. The conference brings together Australia’s leading economic development practitioners, policymakers, and place‑makers — and provides an important platform to test, challenge, and refine ideas that will shape
- [Why Net Z(ed) Matters: Building the Skills, Confidence, and Pathways for a Net‑Zero Future](https://mcbbp.com.au/2025/10/06/why-net-zed-matters-building-the-skills-confidence-and-pathways-for-a-net-zero-future/) - We’re proud to share that MCB Business Partners has been quoted in a recent feature by the Australian Associated Press (AAP) Climate News team, highlighting our Net Z(ed) initiative and its role in preparing young Australians for a decarbonised future. 🔗 Read the AAP feature here: Being recognised by AAP is more than a milestone
- [From Service to Tech: Why Straight Talkers Matter When You’re Building Something New](https://mcbbp.com.au/2025/10/25/from-service-to-tech-why-straight-talkers-matter-when-youre-building-something-new/) - Every business evolution has a moment where someone asks the uncomfortable question. For us at MCB Business Partners, that moment came more than two years ago — and it came from a straight talker. Catching up with Adam Boyle at the recent Hunter Innovation Festival felt fitting. It was Adam’s push back then that nudged
- [From Student Ideas to Real‑World Impact](https://mcbbp.com.au/2024/11/12/from-student-ideas-to-real-world-impact/) - How the Sustainnovation Challenge Creates Pathways to the Future Workforce When we launched the Sustainnovation Challenge in 2021 as one of MCB Business Partners’ flagship programs, our goal was simple but ambitious: give young people a genuine voice and invite them to tackle real local challenges and opportunities. What we quickly learned, however, is that
- [Imagining the Future Leader: Why Tomorrow’s CEOs Belong in Today’s Classrooms](https://mcbbp.com.au/2025/05/18/imagining-the-future-leader-why-tomorrows-ceos-belong-in-todays-classrooms/) - Leadership is changing - fast The skills, mindsets, and behaviors that defined successful leaders a decade ago are no longer enough to navigate the complexity of today’s workforce, let alone the world our students will inherit. That’s why a recent interactive digital infographic from Korn Ferry, built on their extensive Global CEO engagement work, immediately
- [NSW Department of Education Resigns Agreement with MCB Business Partners for Two More Years  ](https://mcbbp.com.au/2023/07/26/nsw-department-of-education-resigns-agreement-with-mcb-business-partners-for-two-more-years/) - MCB Business Partners is excited to share news of the renewed and expanded collaboration with the New South Wales Department of Education, marking a significant milestone in their commitment to advancing STEM education through the STEM Industry School Partnerships Program (SISP). This extended agreement solidifies the ongoing dedication of both MCB Business Partners and the
- [Beyond NAPLAN – Building the Village to Empower Every Young Learner](https://mcbbp.com.au/2024/08/16/beyond-naplan-building-the-village-to-empower-every-young-learner/) - Discover why NAPLAN results are only part of the story and how a holistic, community-focused approach can elevate all young learners for a brighter future.
- [Sustainnovation Challenge Makes Waves at International Conference in Spain](https://mcbbp.com.au/2024/03/13/sustainnovation-challenge-makes-waves-at-international-conference-in-spain/) - When I first began to bring the Sustainnovation Challenge to life, I never imagined that just a few years later, my work would be on the agenda at an academic conference in Spain. The 2024 "People, Education, and Technology for a Sustainable Future" conference has given this initiative a global platform, and I couldn't be
- [St Pius X student workforce initiative brings ‘WoW’ factor to Port of Newcastle](https://mcbbp.com.au/2024/08/29/st-pius-x-student-workforce-initiative-brings-wow-factor-to-port-of-newcastle/) - A team of St Pius X year 10 students presented their winning Sustainnovation Challenge project to CEO Craig Carmody, Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon MP, industry representatives, and Port of Newcastle employees today. The St Pius X students’ winning WoW (Women on Water) initiative aims to raise awareness and interest among young women in
- [Net Z(ed) – A Net Zero Education Collaboration to Inspire Our Future is Live!](https://mcbbp.com.au/2025/02/11/net-zed-a-net-zero-education-collaboration-to-inspire-our-future-is-live/) - We’re thrilled to announce that Net Z(ed)—our groundbreaking initiative connecting education, industry, government, and researchers—is now live! Net Z(ed) is a bold step towards helping teachers prepare young Australians for the opportunities emerging in our decarbonising economy and Net Zero future. This collaboration is built to ensure the next generation is informed, inspired, and ready
- [Barriers to business recycling 2022: Student Pitches](https://mcbbp.com.au/2022/04/21/barriers-to-business-recycling-2022-student-pitches/) - Discovering innovative student ideas from Newcastle's Sustainnovation Challenge tackling recycling in hospitality, construction, and health sectors.
- [MCB Business Partners wraps up the South West Sydney Sustainnovation Challenge series](https://mcbbp.com.au/2023/08/12/mcb-business-partners-wraps-up-the-south-west-sydney-sustainnovation-challenge-series/) - The Southwest Sydney Sustainnovation Challenge series has drawn to a close in a successful conclusion. The challenges not only demonstrated the strength that emerges from genuine collaboration among local government, industry, and education but provided a platform for young voices to be heard and actively contribute to shaping their communities. A Community-Focused Initiative Launched in
- [MCB Business Partners Concludes Successful Pilot of Cyber City - Cyber Security Learning Experience in NSW Schools ](https://mcbbp.com.au/2023/10/02/mcb-business-partners-concludes-successful-pilot-of-cyber-city-cyber-security-learning-experience-in-nsw-schools/) - MCB Business Partners is thrilled to announce the successful conclusion of the pilot phase for Cyber City, Australia's first in-curriculum Cyber Security course. With industry, government, and tertiary education partners, this pioneering initiative is equipping students with innovative insights into the skills and career pathways into cybersecurity. Designed to empower educators, Cyber City provides teachers
- [MCB Business Partners facilitate discussions for the Greater Cities Commission to future proof our cities ](https://mcbbp.com.au/2023/10/12/mcb-business-partners-facilitate-discussions-for-the-greater-cities-commission-to-future-proof-our-cities/) - MCB Business Partners, in collaboration with FASTLAB from the University of Newcastle and in partnership with the Greater Cities Commission through the NUW Alliance, proudly facilitated an innovative internship program that brought together twenty students from the University of Newcastle, University of Wollongong, UNSW, and the University of Sydney. Duncan Burck, Managing Director of MCB Business
- [MCB Business Partners to Launch Classroom Sustainnovation Challenges for 2024](https://mcbbp.com.au/2023/11/21/mcb-business-partners-to-launch-classroom-sustainnovation-challenges-for-2024/) - MCB Business Partners is gearing up to introduce two impactful classroom Sustainnovation Challenges for secondary educators in early 2024. Originally intended for the South West Sydney Sustainnovation Challenge series in 2023, the challenges—Digital Exclusion and Water Sustainability—unfortunately had to be canceled at the last minute due to COVID-related spikes and teacher availability. Despite the setback,
- [Innovative students to help plan how we live, work, and visit our city](https://mcbbp.com.au/2021/10/18/innovative-students-to-help-plan-how-we-live-work-and-visit-our-city/) - Improving accessibility for people, dealing with plastic, planning for an ageing community, and preparing for a creative economy are issues to be explored by high school students in a first-of-its-kind learning experience designed to create a sustainable future for Newcastle. The City of Newcastle Sustainnovation Challenge is a community capacity building project being delivered under
- [Young minds offer sustainable solutions](https://mcbbp.com.au/2021/10/19/young-minds-offer-sustainable-solutions/) - Duncan Burck creator and Program Director, Sustainnovation Challenge This week we launch City of Newcastle Sustainnovation Challenge; a first-of-its-kind collaborative learning experience for secondary students to help create a sustainable future for Newcastle. It’s a unique collaboration between education, industry, community, and city leaders who are volunteering their expertise to help students create and develop
- [Community innovation leaders applaud students’ visionary inclusivity program](https://mcbbp.com.au/2022/01/25/community-innovation-leaders-applaud-students-visionary-inclusivity-program/) - How do we make Newcastle more accessible and inclusive for everyone in our community? This was the question that Newcastle’s innovation leaders challenged students from Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College to answer at the City of Newcastle Sustainnovation Challenge. Bishop Tyrrell students Megan Williams, Eli McLean-Phillips, and Khiera Bartlett rose to the challenge through a weeklong
- [Newcastle high school students are being tested to come up with innovative solutions for local businesses to increase recycling during the second Sustainnovation Challenge on 2-3 March.](https://mcbbp.com.au/2022/02/28/newcastle-high-school-students-are-being-tested-to-come-up-with-innovative-solutions-for-local-businesses-to-increase-recycling-during-the-second-sustainnovation-challenge-on-2-3-march/) - The two-day virtual workshop includes a series of preparation and discovery sessions with industry specialists before students create and then pitch their problem-solving ideas to a judging panel. The City of Newcastle Sustainnovation Challenge is a community capacity-building project involving education, industry, community, and city leaders who volunteer their expertise and mentor students to help
- [Sustainnovation Challenge helping region's young minds lead the way](https://mcbbp.com.au/2022/03/01/sustainnovation-challenge-helping-regions-young-minds-lead-the-way/) - This week we started rolling out the 2022 City of Newcastle Sustainnovation Challenge program. In today's Newcastle Herald I had a quick look back at what has happened since we launched in 2021 and set the scene as to where we are heading in early 2022
- [Delivering Australian-focused, contextualised STEM learning and teaching resources](https://mcbbp.com.au/2022/01/26/iteachstem-delivering-australian-focused-contextualised-stem-learning-and-teaching-resources/) - MCB Business Partners, having identified the lack of resources Australian educators have to bring up-to-date, relevant examples of STEM in Australian industries and businesses into the classroom, spearheaded, in partnership with the NSW Department of Education STEM Industry Schools Partnership Program (SISP) and the NSW branch of Institute of Technology Education (iTE), the activation of
- [And That's A Wrap - City of Newcastle Sustainnovation Challenge #2](https://mcbbp.com.au/2022/03/08/and-thats-a-wrap-city-of-newcastle-sustainnovation-challenge-2/) - Congratulations to the Hunter School of The Performing Arts students who took out top position for the City of Newcastle Sustainnovation Challenge #2 - How do we remove the barriers to Newcastle and Hunter Businesses recycling or using recycled products? Their idea 'Pub To Produce' was inspired after chatting with Michael Starkey, local hotelier and
- [Biomedical Innovation Learning Experience - The Ampcontrol Ventilator Project](https://mcbbp.com.au/2022/06/25/biomedical-innovation-the-ampcontrol-ventilator-project/) - Students utilise inquiry and problem-based learning strategies to investigate the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, and how it affected the way people have lived and have been medically treated patients when contracting the virus. Students roleplay the engineers who have been approached by NSW Health to investigate and design a basic biomedical ventilation system, to assist the
- [Stage 5 iSTEM - Bringing newconomy education to life in the classroom](https://mcbbp.com.au/2022/07/25/integrated-stem-istem/) - As part of the NSW Curriculum Reform, Stage 5 (years 9 and 10) school-developed board-endorsed courses have been phased out in 2022. The only course to survive and be part of a suite of approved elective courses for year 9 and 10 students is Integrated STEM (iSTEM) MCB Business Partners, a recognised contributor to the
- [Cyber City, the Cyber Security Learning Experience](https://mcbbp.com.au/2022/09/26/cyber-city-the-cyber-security-learning-experience/) - With industry and government support, and advocacy, the NSW Department of Education created Australia's first, in-curriculum, Cyber Security course. The new Cyber Security course is embedded, as a ‘Specialised Topic’, in Stage 5 (years 9 & 10), NSW Department of Education Approved iSTEM Elective which was publicly released in December 2021. Designed by the MCB
- [Lead role in shaping NSW Education engagement with industry](https://mcbbp.com.au/2022/08/07/lead-role-in-shaping-nsw-education-engagement-with-industry/) - MCB Business Partners, from 2019-2021, takes a lead role in developing and activating the state-wide industry engagement strategy for the NSW Department of Education flagship and award-winning regional STEM program, STEM Industry Schools Partnership Program (SISP). "Duncan has a great understanding of curating and activating programs in the education-industry-government relationship space. He has developed an
- [Unleashing Secondary Students' Creative Thinking - Creating Places Where Girls & Women Feel Safer](https://mcbbp.com.au/2023/04/19/unleashing-secondary-students-creative-thinking-in-south-west-sydney-sustainnovation-challenge/) - South-West Sydney, Australia - With just a couple of weeks away, the South-West Sydney Sustainnovation Challenge Series team is excited to announce the upcoming City of Canterbury Bankstown Sustainnovation Challenge: Creating Places Where Women and Girls Feel Safer, an innovative and creative challenge for secondary students across the region. In collaboration with the City of
- [Picton High School Students Win South West Sydney Sustainnovation Challenge #1 with a "Voice for All" idea](https://mcbbp.com.au/2023/04/19/picton-high-school-students-win-south-west-sydney-sustainnovation-challenge-1-with-a-voice-for-all-idea/) - South West Sydney Sustainnovation Challenge, organised in collaboration with Wollondilly Shire Council and local high schools, kicked off last week. The challenge aimed to connect with the community through data and art, and after two days of hard work, students from Picton High School emerged as winners with their project "Unity Within Our Community –
- [MCB Business Partners Embarks on a Collaborative Journey with FASTLab from the University of Newcastle ](https://mcbbp.com.au/2023/05/18/mcb-business-partners-embarks-on-a-collaborative-journey-with-fastlab-from-the-university-of-newcastle/) - We are thrilled to announce the dynamic collaboration between MCB Business Partners and FASTLab, a prominent initiative stemming from the University of Newcastle. This exciting partnership merges MCB's extensive experience in education and industry with FASTLab's cutting-edge research, propelling real-world business and community challenges toward innovative solutions that address the ever-evolving needs of our society.
- [A New Era Begins: Welcoming Mary Burck to MCB Business Partners](https://mcbbp.com.au/2023/06/07/a-new-era-begins-welcoming-mary-burck-to-mcb-business-partners/) - We’re delighted to share some exciting news that marks a significant milestone for MCB Business Partners. It is with great pleasure that we officially welcome Mary Burck to our team as the new Operations Director. Mary's addition to our company brings a wealth of experience and expertise, having worked in the corporate world for nearly

## Pages

- [Building the Talent Pipelines for Our Future](https://mcbbp.com.au/) - Activating technology and education partnerships to build skills and talent pipelines, driving sustainable growth for industry and government into the future.
- [Contact Us](https://mcbbp.com.au/contact-us/) - Have a question, require support, or wish to learn more about MCB Business Partners and our work? Contact Us.
- [Partnerships](https://mcbbp.com.au/partnerships/) - At the heart of our mission are partnerships that unite schools, industry and government to build future talent and opportunities.
- [Solutions](https://mcbbp.com.au/solutions/) - Discover solutions that transform education–industry partnerships into measurable results, driving impact and sustainable growth.
- [About Us - Purpose and Progress](https://mcbbp.com.au/about-us/) - About Us - Learn more, our story, purpose and progress, an organisation rooted in empowering young people through innovative partnerships and community support.
- [Delivering Impact](https://mcbbp.com.au/delivering-impact/) - Delivering impact with technology and strategic solutions that create strong talent pipelines and sustainable workforce growth.
- [News & Updates](https://mcbbp.com.au/news-updates/) - Explore our thought leadership, success stories, and practical strategies shaping workforce development strategies and future talent pipelines.
- [ESG Statement](https://mcbbp.com.au/esg-governance/) - We integrate ESG into every aspect of our strategy, operations, and partnerships to deliver measurable impact for industry, government, and our communities.

## Categories

- [News](https://mcbbp.com.au/category/mcbbp-news/)
- [Project Updates](https://mcbbp.com.au/category/mcbbp-news/projects/)
- [Opinion](https://mcbbp.com.au/category/mcbbp-news/opinion/)
- [Partner Success](https://mcbbp.com.au/category/mcbbp-news/partner-success/)
- [MCB Programs & Brands](https://mcbbp.com.au/category/mcb-programs-brands/)