AFTER running successful tech-based workshops at schools across Australia, BOP Industries founder Scott Millar has his sights set on taking his education programs overseas.
The 19-year-old Sheldon College graduate started his business, BOP Industries, five years ago while in year 9, first selling keyrings at local markets before branching out into holographic projection units.
BOP Industries' first foray into education came during the World Science Festival in April 2017 when the team ran workshops allowing people to film their own holograms.
After Mr Millar graduated high school at the end of 2017, classroom programs were developed and requests began to flood in from teachers across the state.
Using technology like augmented reality and holograms, workshops focus on developing students' skills in areas including creative thinking, communication, social and ICT skills.
"We've found teachers have got so much on it can be hard for them to find the latest up-to-date practices, case studies and research," Mr Millar said.
"Our industry partners keep coming back to us saying the graduates (they were) employing just (did not) have the skillsets (they wanted).
"What we're really trying to do is get students to think about how these technologies are going to be used in the future and how they can be used in a safe and responsible way...how can we put the protocols in place to ensure that we're not living in a Black Mirror dystopian world in the next couple of decades."
Mr Millar said as the education program started to take off in Australia, there came international demand for BOP's programs and resources.
Now working with Australian international schools in Malaysia and Singapore, Mr Millar is also looking into markets in Thailand and the US.
The programs will also be delivered in China in both English and Mandarin thanks to a partnership with the Australia China Innovation Centre.
BOP Industries is now looking at setting up an office in Singapore in the coming months.
Mr Millar said it had been a steep learning curve as he figured out how to manage teams across countries but he was passionate about sharing valuable skills with as many young people as possible.
"I think the role of education and the way we teach is going to change so rapidly between now and ten years from now," Mr Millar said.
"I would love to see a whole generation of young people who are out in the world doing amazing things that got their start in our workshops."
Mr Millar - who was recently named on SmartCompany's list of 30 entrepreneurs under 30 - said age and location were no longer constraints on starting a business.
All you need is a laptop and an internet connection and you can do anything.
"There's a big stigma around if you're starting a business that it's got to be world changing and original and first in its class.
"I think the best advice would be to just start on anything.
"I started selling keyrings at local markets in Capalaba. I had no idea I was going to be where I am, travelling around the world, just in four or five years' time.
"You can do amazing things at any age from anywhere."
