How Mentoring can benefit Apprentices
Mentoring is particularly important for apprentices as they are often young people entering the workplace for the first time it is an effective way of helping them to progress in their careers and helps them acclimatise to the workplace and gives them valuable support. Mentoring also improves communication between the employer and the apprentice, often giving apprentices “a voice”.
The mentor relationship provides additional support, guidance and pastoral care, which is removed from the apprentice’s direct line manager. Mentoring plays an important role in motivating apprentices to persevere with their training.
A mentor can act as a guide for the apprentice, providing them with advice on completing their apprenticeship as well as future career options and progress. The nature of the mentor/mentee relationship varies from programme to programme and can be tailored to suit the needs of participants.
For all apprentices, having a mentor in the business that they can turn to for advice, information and support has a significant impact not just on their experience but also their long-term career outcomes. In short, a mentor can play a vital role in the personal and professional growth of an apprentice.
Young apprentices may feel lonely in the workplace, particularly if they are the only young person among an older workforce. Additionally, some apprentices worry that taking a vocational education route will mean they miss out on the social experience of going to university. Some employers have found that providing opportunities for social enrichment – both for apprentices to bond with each other and the wider workforce – can help apprentices to settle into the workplace and enjoy their apprenticeship experience. This is where group mentoring has huge benefits. Creating a community of young apprentices in the workplace also enables them to support each other by talking about their shared experiences and finding solutions to common challenges.
Benefits of mentoring Apprentices
- Improved engagement – the sense of career development, practical training and support apprentices get from mentoring leads them to feel positively about their organisation as a place to work.
- Improved retention – those who are part of mentoring programme report higher commitment and loyalty to the organisation and therefore more like to stay
- Improved inclusion – entering a new workplace, particularly if you are from an underrepresented background, can be disconcerting. A mentor can provide support and create a sense of inclusion. Mentoring can also support EDI initiatives
- Greater job satisfaction and higher motivation
- Greater career success including promotions, pay rises and increased opportunities
- Encourages regular one-to-one meetings with the mentor can give a young apprentice plenty of opportunities to discuss their progress, any difficulties they may be experiencing and mentors to identify any additional support needs
- Group mentoring – providing a network for young people to support and motivate each other
- Mentoring can be counted towards off the job training
- Opportunity for mentors to develop their people development skills
How I can help…
- Provide advice and guidance on setting up a mentoring scheme
- Train employees of organisations who take on apprentices to become mentors
- Support mentors through supervisions and regular check-ins
- Monitor the mentoring programme and provide evaluation
- Deliver group mentoring sessions and workshops
If you would like to find out more as to how mentoring can benefit your organisation, please get in touch: fiona.porter@fptrainingltd.co.uk
