Why entrepreneurship needs to be taught in all schools

In a world where technology and innovation drive rapid change, young people need more than academic knowledge to thrive.

They need an entrepreneurial mindset, the ability to see problems as opportunities, to think critically and creatively, work collaboratively, and adapt to change.

These are not future skills, they are now skills, with flexibility, resilience, agility and leadership making it into the top 10 current global employability skills, according to The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025.

A modern world with modern jobs

We can also see in the report how the the nature of work is changing. Labour-market transformations have created new jobs – equivalent to 14 per cent of today’s total employment (between 2025 and 2030). This amounts to approximately 170 million jobs globally, with 92 million current jobs disappearing

The workforce of today and tomorrow is evolving. Automation is transforming industries, the gig economy is creating flexible career paths, and global challenges, like climate change, demand innovative solutions. At the same time, the startup ecosystem is looking for employees who are intrapreneurial – that is, they are able to thrive in fast-paced, innovative organisations and tackle complex problems.

Prepping the next generation

Traditional education often focuses on exams and memorisation, but falls short when it comes to preparing students for the challenges of the real world.

Even with access to knowledge at their fingertips, young people are becoming disillusioned with the lack of application of learning to life.

Entrepreneurial education changes this narrative by equipping young people with creativity, resilience, and problem-solving skills, plus how to apply these in the real world. It’s not just about starting businesses, it’s about empowering students to thrive in an unpredictable future.

All young people should learn to think like entrepreneurs. So how might we ensure that today’s education system equips young people for the workforce of tomorrow?

Inspiring the classroom

As the workforce evolves, education must evolve with it. While traditional models provide a strong foundation, integrating entrepreneurial education can further equip students with critical thinking, innovative problem-solving, financial literacy, and leadership skills.

Young Change Agents, an Australian-based non-profit social enterprise, is leading the way. Working with 1,600 schools and 180,000 students (and growing daily) it is introducing students aged 10-18 to entrepreneurial thinking. This is through initiatives like their Digital Boss program.

In partnership with the Telstra Foundation, this program helps students explore innovation and technology while tackling real-world challenges like creating digital products or services.

Young Change Agents have a goal of empowering 2 million young people globally through entrepreneurial education by 2030. They also aim to work with schools to support educators in developing an entrepreneurial mindset.

It’s not just about jobs

Research has shown that the benefits of entrepreneurial education go beyond employability and job creation. Recent data shows young people studying entrepreneurship at school are tracking 10-15% above their peers in key health and wellbeing indicators.

With statistics also showing that one in four young people are highly distressed and 75 per cent of mental health problems emerge before the age of 25, supporting young people with strategies like an entrepreneurial mindset is critical.

Educators are saying entrepreneurial education is resulting in not only more engaged students, but an increase in their sense of purpose as teachers, with their confidence and engagement in the profession being enhanced.

With the current national teacher shortage, entrepreneurial education could offer a solution. As teachers from Seaton High School in South Australia said about the program:

“I really feel like I am able to fully embrace my passion and facilitate students’ passion skills and knowledge, but most of all I feel I am useful and make a difference.”

“I feel that entrepreneurial education allows us to plan and deliver tasks in an adaptive way to met the needs and interest of our students.”

But it is about success

Furthermore, young entrepreneurial thinkers are more likely to contribute to the economy through innovation and the learning of essential skills to contribute to the community.

A generation who are confident in data analysis, public speaking, communication and can find creative solutions, will boost economic growth, and also competitiveness in the market.

With youth unemployment one of the greatest global challenges according to a United Nations report, having youth skilled in starting and operating enterprises is a win-win for communities.

So if entrepreneurial education is good for students, good for educators and schools, good for communities and good for the economy and the startup ecosystem., why isn’t it in every school?

Be the change you want to see

The answer is, we all need to work towards that.

Young Change Agents has a Youth Council. This consists of seven young entrepreneurs from age 13-18 who are driving the agenda in developing priorities for youth entrepreneurship across the country.

You can help them by:

Entrepreneurs can join Young Change Agents #giveback team to mentor students, take up guest speaking opportunities to support educators in the classroom, and share their expertise inspiring the next generation.
Startups can partner with schools to provide resources and real-world challenges for students to work on.
Investors can fund not-for-profit enterprises, like Young Change Agents to ensure they reach more students, particularly in underserved communities, and ultimately enhance our pipeline of innovative minds to lead the way
As parents, you can champion your school to deliver entrepreneurial education so their students thrive now and into their future.

Noah’s surfing startup

While this all sounds nice in theory, here is what entrepreneurial education can looks like in practice:

Noah Pronk, a 12-year-old from South Australia participated in the Young Change Agents’ $20 Boss Program at his school. The initiative empowers students to develop entrepreneurial skills by creating a product or service with a $20 startup fund.

Inspired by his passion for surfing and concern over ocean plastic pollution, Noah developed Sticky Pronk, an eco-friendly surf wax made from Kangaroo Island beeswax and coconut oil. This product not only offers a sustainable alternative to traditional surf wax but also reflects Noah’s commitment to environmental conservation.

Noah exemplifies how a young entrepreneur can leverage creativity and a sense of responsibility to address real-world challenges. His initiative underscores the value of programs like $20 Boss in nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit among youth.

Sign up to the future

Entrepreneurship isn’t just for aspiring CEOs. It’s for anyone who wants to solve problems, innovate, and make a difference in their field – whether that’s science, the arts, or anything in between.

Young Change Agents is soon to release the Playbook for Entrepreneurial Education in Schools. Sign up for early release to see how you can foster and nurture a pipeline of young entrepreneurs, problem solvers, and creative thinkers.

If Australia wants to remain competitive on the global stage, entrepreneurial education must become a priority. By teaching entrepreneurship, we’re not just preparing students for jobs – we’re preparing them to shape the future. Whether you’re an educator, entrepreneur, or investor, you can be part of this movement. Let’s make entrepreneurial education a reality in every school, giving young people the tools they need to thrive in a world full of possibilities.