Hunter students pitch the future: Education program changes how almost 9 in 10 students see future jobs in the Hunter
The next generation of Hunter workers, business owners and community leaders took centre stage in Muswellbrook today, presenting their ideas for the region’s future.
Students from across the Hunter came together to celebrate their achievements and present innovative ideas at the finale event for the Net:Zed, Transitioning Economies – Your Voice, Your Say program.
This year, over 400 students took part in the program, building their understanding of net zero, the changes occurring across the region and future study and career pathways.
Students from schools across the region presented their ideas to a range of industry, government, education and community members, including:
- Communal Youth, a cross-school network connecting young people to work together on community challenges;
- One Place to Find Opportunities, a platform bringing together education, training and career opportunities for young people; and
- Bounce Back, an initiative to help mining families better understand future opportunities and prepare for the transition.
As part of the program, students were surveyed about their understanding of transition and perceptions of future career pathways.
Before the program, 66% of students said reducing emissions is extremely important, but only 42% understood what net zero was. After the program, 82% said they understand net zero and 88% knew more about how energy is made in the Hunter, with the program changing how they think about future career pathways.
‘Students care about the climate, but they lacked an understanding of net zero and the changes happening in their own region. The Net:Zed program helped create a link between the two and build an understanding of the energy transition in their home region,’ said Duncan Burck, CEO and Founder of MCB Business Partners, the creators of the Net:Zed program.
‘We know Hunter students are concerned about future employment and whether this may impact their decision to stay in the region. If young people can see real jobs and a real role for themselves in the transition, more of them may choose to stay,’ concluded Duncan.
The Net Zero Economy Authority (NZEA) is a major supporter of the program, with NZEA CEO David Shankey speaking directly with students earlier this year.
‘At the event today in Muswellbrook and through the Net:Zed program, students have told us they want to connect and are excited for the region’s future, but they want to be heard.
‘Listening to feedback from young people and helping them be informed about their future is an important way to support the Hunter’s transition,’ said NZEA CEO David Shankey.
The Net:Zed survey also found that when young people think about the transition in the Hunter, they think first about the importance of place and belonging (45%), about fairness (23%) and future jobs (17%).
Education leaders across the region have committed to creating new opportunities for students to engage with the energy transition through place-based learning, industry visits, university mentoring and arts and science projects.
An outcome of the 2026 program is the formation of The Hunter Changemakers, a youth group drawn from Transitioning Economies alumni to guide what comes next. Supported by Net:Zed and a range of industry and government partners, they aim to turn ideas into action.
This new youth group will partner with Net:Zed to launch the 2027 Transitioning Economies Youth Summit: Voices together, for a future together, hosted at the Hunter School of Performing Arts in May next year.
The program demonstrates that young people are already thinking about the future of their communities, the industries emerging across the region and the role they can play in shaping what comes next.
Media enquiries
Media@nzea.gov.au / 0409 458 626