Page 40 - Apprenticeship book.cdr

A) Mentoring

Following suggestions and recommendations as well as reading all
pertinent literature available in the field is a good way to show your mentor that
you are committed to being successful and that you take your career and
responsibilities seriously.
Essential roles of a successful mentor³⁰
02
Teacher
This role requires the mentor to share experiences as a seasoned professional.
First, however, the mentor needs to be aware of the skills needed to perform
job tasks successfully. It is important to share lessons learned from past
mistakes to strengthen the mentor trainee relationship. The teaching role also
requires mentors to step back and understand that the trainee is just beginning
the learning process. Mentors need to be able to see the job as the trainee does
and remember how difficult it was to learn new skills.

Guide
As a guide, the mentor helps the trainee to navigate through the job and the
inner workings of the organization. The "behind the scenes" or shop politics are
not always obvious to an outsider. The mentor should explain the "unwritten
workshop rules" so that the trainee can become be aware of the shop
environment. This includes knowledge of special shop procedures that are not
always documented.
Counsellor
The role of counsellor requires the mentor to have a trusting and open
relationship with the trainee. The mentor needs to stress confidentiality and
show respect for the trainee. Mentors can promote confidentiality by not
disclosing personal information shared by the trainee. While the mentor
explains the job, listening is also very important. It is another way to show
respect.

Advisor
This role requires the mentor to help the trainee develop professional interests
and set realistic career goals. As an advisor, the mentor talks to the trainee
about what he or she wants to learn and sets career goals. Keep in mind that
the process of setting goals must be flexible enough to accommodate changes
in the workplace.
Motivator
Motivating the trainee is a difficult yet essential mentor role. Motivation can be
PART 2 learned but is typically a natural inner drive that compels a person to be positive
and succeed. Mentors can motivate trainees to succeed through
encouragement, support, and incentives. They can also motivate trainees by
A) Mentoring showing them support.

Door Opener
In the role of door opener, the mentor helps the trainee establish a network of
contacts within the workplace. This gives trainees a chance to meet other
people for professional, as well as, social development.
As a door opener, mentors introduce trainees to their
own contacts to help build the trainee's own network
structure.
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³⁰MENTORING FOR APPRENTICESHIP Compiled by Stuart Bass Keystone Development Partnership.
Train the trainer for on-the-job training, February 2017. Prepared by KDP for 1199C Training and 39
Upgrading Fund.