"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

That seemingly simple question has sparked angst, dreams, and everything in between for generations. I remember being asked it when I was young, and I still find myself asking it of the many young people I meet.

In reality, it’s tough to figure out how you want to spend your working life. In today’s rapidly changing world, it’s even more daunting. Some children in primary school right now are destined for careers that we couldn’t even conceive or imagine.

As National Skills Week begins (August 19 to 25), I am reflecting on how our education system can better prepare all young Australians for their lives after school.

Education is one of the most powerful change agents, which is why at The Smith Family we are committed to helping young people growing up in poverty overcome educational inequity.

Statistically, students who experience disadvantage are less likely to finish school, and they don’t have the same access to career networks and mentors as their more advantaged peers. The digital divide is an all too real obstacle as well — many of our students don’t have a reliable internet connection or even a computer at home.

It’s hard to dream about your future when you don’t have the tools you need to build it.

We know low-skilled, entry-level jobs are disappearing or morphing into roles requiring sophisticated abilities and attributes, including critical digital skills. Experts predict that very soon post-school qualifications will be needed for more than 9 in 10 jobs.

Right now, young Australians who’ve already left school must navigate one of the toughest labour markets in living memory. The youth unemployment rate sits at 9.7% — more than double the national average. And for those growing up in disadvantaged circumstances, the rate is even higher.

We must do more to support students to be future-ready — but especially young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Research shows that the more young people have the chance to be involved in career conversations and activities while at school, the better their education and employment outcomes.

High school career advisors do incredible work, but the solution isn’t just having more of them. It’s about starting career conversations earlier — when students are still in primary school — and continuing to build on them through high school. It’s about helping young people discover what careers excite them, and then connecting their passions with real-world opportunities.

Young people need role models, mentors, and practical support that can open their minds to what is possible. As Marian Wright Edelman so aptly put it, "You can't be what you can't see."

At The Smith Family, we’ve been working hard to make this happen. Our Growing Careers Project, in 59 partner schools thanks to funding from the Government, will offer over 76,000 career-related opportunities to high schoolers over a five-year span.

Whether it’s learning entrepreneurship, exploring creative skills, or connecting with a mentor, our aim is to expose students to a broad range of career options and pathways. We provide the tools and support they need to shape their future.

Every step of the way, we’re tracking their progress, learning from their experiences, and refining our approach. We know it’s working — but it’s just the beginning of what is needed.

It’s crucial for education leaders to rethink our country’s approach to career support in schools. Significant investment is needed in programs proven to work, especially for students facing disadvantage.

One of the key recommendations of the recent Universities Accord Final Report was the need for governments – federal, state, and territory – to provide better career pathways advice in secondary schools.

Because when our young people thrive, so too does our nation.

A well-educated and skilled workforce makes us a stronger, more productive, and prosperous country. It drives innovation and strengthens social cohesion and community well-being.

So, as we mark National Skills Week this year, together let’s do what is in our power to ensure every young Australian, no matter their background, is ready for the future. If we don’t, there's a real, pressing risk that a new generation will end up trapped in low-paid, insecure work, or even long-term unemployment.

And by the way, if you had asked me that curly question about the career I dreamed of when I was young — I would have told you that I wanted to play on the wing for St George Rugby League Club. Suffice to say that I needed a backup plan!