Page 12 - Workbased Training COREL test 8.cdr

4. Mentoring

Essential roles of a successful mentor:

Teacher
This role requires the mentor to share experiences. 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
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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 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
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,
4. Mentoring support, and incentives. They can also motivate trainees by 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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