- Margaret O'Brien - CEO, Young Change Agents
Three quarters of young people surveyed for the Australian Youth Digital Index agreed that digital skills are essential for their future career, and more than half (58%) would like to have a career that uses advanced digital skills.
But technical skills are just part of the equation, says Margaret O’Brien, CEO of Young Change Agents. To harness technology as a tool for positive change, young people must also have the confidence to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset.
Young Change Agents is a not-for-profit social enterprise that’s helping young Australians view problems as opportunities through social entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneurship is a powerful mechanism for fostering economic growth, creating social impact, and developing a flexible mindset, says Margaret O’Brien, CEO of Young Change Agents. “We’re helping young people understand that they can make a difference in their communities by looking at problems through an entrepreneurial lens. It’s about cultivating resilience, adaptability, and a sense of purpose.”
Young Change Agent’s programs go beyond teaching digital skills. They emphasize digital capabilities—a more holistic approach that includes problem-solving, critical thinking, and the ability to leverage digital tools in meaningful ways. For example, students might work in teams to address real-world problems, such as improving mental health or reducing food waste, using digital solutions they’ve researched and tested themselves. These projects help build the digital savvy and entrepreneurial mindset that today’s workforce demands.
From textbook skills to real-world capabilities
O’Brien explains that entrepreneurial skills don’t come from a textbook. “They’re best learned through collaboration, real-world experience, and a willingness to embrace trial and error,” she says. The programs at Young Change Agents are structured to mirror the kinds of challenges young people will face in the real world, giving them the chance to experiment, adapt, and learn from their mistakes in a supportive environment.
When young people are empowered to tackle community problems with a hands-on approach, they develop more than just technical know-how. They build the confidence needed to take on unfamiliar challenges, and they gain the skills to find innovative solutions. “This confidence in their digital and entrepreneurial capabilities has a ripple effect,” O’Brien notes. “They start to see themselves as capable of making change, and that’s incredibly powerful.”
Digital confidence and capability for all
For Young Change Agents, it’s essential to ensure that young people from all backgrounds have the same access to digital and entrepreneurial opportunities. In an era where digital connectivity is crucial, young people without access to quality devices or reliable internet risk falling behind. Young Change Agents strives to create an inclusive learning environment where all students, regardless of background, feel empowered to participate fully and meaningfully.
Programs at Young Change Agents are designed to be accessible for educators to introduce in classrooms, giving teachers tools and resources to embed entrepreneurial learning and design thinking in their curriculum. “Teachers play a huge role in fostering digital capabilities, and we want to make it as easy as possible for them to bring these skills into the classroom,” says O’Brien.
Building future leaders and problem solvers
By focusing on digital capabilities alongside entrepreneurship, Young Change Agents is helping prepare the next generation to become adaptable, resilient problem solvers. “We’re not just teaching kids how to use tech; we’re teaching them how to think, adapt, and turn their ideas into actions,” O’Brien says.
As technology continues to reshape our world, programs like those offered by Young Change Agents are essential for helping young Australians thrive. By developing digital skills and the confidence to use them, Young Change Agents is empowering young people to lead, create, and innovate in a future they’ll help shape.
“It’s about equipping young people with the tools they need to create the future they want,” O’Brien concludes. Through this work, Young Change Agents is not just fostering individual growth, but also building a generation that is ready to make a difference—one idea, one solution, and one community at a time.
Notes
Telstra Foundation has partnered with Young Change Agents over several years. We’re currently supporting the expansion of the Digital Boss program into rural and regional areas across Australia.
