IET Mentoring

Stand out from the crowd

As an IET mentor, you can help to guide and strengthen the skills of others whilst developing your own skills in the process. Become part of it.

www.theiet.org/mentor

Preparing for Professional Mentor Training Registration (one-day course) (one-day course)
Professional registration recognises your skills and experience and demonstrates your commitment to professionalism.
This course will take you through the requirements of UKSPEC and the process of preparing and submitting an application. You will learn how to plan, record and review your professional development as you progress towards registration, including how to assess your skill level against the relevant framework and how those supporting you can help along the way. By attending this course you will learn how to: n use competences for professional development; n  assess your skill level against the UKSPEC framework; n map your employers competence statements to UKSPEC; n collect appropriate evidence to demonstrate your competence; n get started and develop a good relationship with your mentor; n make the most of your support network; n access tools and support available from the IET; n  use Career Manager to prepare and submit your application online. Delegates will be provided with refreshments, lunch and appropriate course materials.

With increasing pressure on everyone, the use of mentoring has become more widespread and mentors are now regarded as one of the most important sources of support and advice.
Whether you are new to mentoring or you are an experienced mentor hoping to refresh your skills and learn some new tips, this course will help develop your ability and confidence in effectively mentoring others. Using practical exercises and case studies based on real experiences, you will learn how to identify your mentees needs and support them effectively with achieving their goals. Importantly, we will also help you to recognise when you are unable to assist your mentee and should encourage them to seek other sources of support. The course is suitable for anyone wanting to learn more about the key skills of mentoring and specific ways in which you can support someone working towards professional registration. By attending this course you will learn how to: n  use different techniques to establish a constructive relationship with your mentee; n  ask open questions and listen effectively to understand your mentees needs; n recognise and understand the importance of body language; n structure your mentoring to help someone achieve their goals; n  ensure that both you and your mentee benefit from the relationship; n support someone working towards professional registration; n conclude your mentoring relationship in a positive way. Delegates will be provided with refreshments, lunch and appropriate course materials.

Tailor Made Training

All of the Professional Skills Training courses can be delivered in-company. This means you can train multiple staff members at the same time, in a familiar and relaxed environment, ensuring everyone gets the most out of the training. We can tailor courses to meet your specific employee and business needs. To find out more about our in-company training, and how we can adapt our courses to suit your needs, get in touch today by emailing pdcourses@theiet.org.

Its a chance to put back into the IET some of the benefits I have been fortunate to receive throughout my career as a professional engineer.
Eric McKinnon BA BSc(Hons) CEng MIET Mentor Berkshire

Do something a bit different

A mentors role is to listen to mentees, challenge them, review progress and essentially develop and encourage them to make the most out of opportunities to progress their career. By ensuring others are able to fulfil their potential, mentors often feel they are giving something back to the industry and benefit from a fresh perspective themselves.

The finer points:

Q.  What skills do I need? A.  The key skills and attributes required by a mentor include:
n  taking a personal interest in others; n  active listening; n  questioning; n  challenging assumptions; n  recognising a mentees needs; n  guiding a mentee in identifying opportunities and making choices; n  compliance with IET data protection policy (guidance provided).

Joining forces
Registering as an IET mentor enables you to share your knowledge and experience for the advantage of others, while broadening and deepening your own knowledge, practising and developing your management skills and widening your network of professional contacts. Mentoring allows you to continue your own career development and gain personal satisfaction from being able to encourage, support and guide others at key stages within their careers.

Q.  How much time will I need to commit? A.  The frequency and length of meetings should be agreed
between you and the mentee. Most people find that one-hour meetings are about right. Many mentees find it helpful to have relatively frequent meetings, perhaps once a month in the early stages and then less frequently as the relationship becomes established and they work towards longer-term goals.

Local network
Mentors and mentees are matched on geographical proximity rather than technical specialism to allow face-to-face meetings wherever or whenever possible. This means mentors will be working with someone from their local area, while mentees gain from the experience of someone outside their immediate workplace.

Q.  What costs are involved? A.  No charges are made by the IET for the service. Any charge
made for mentors services would negate the independence and impartiality which the mentor must bring to the relationship. The costs incurred in travelling to face-to-face mentoring meetings should not be any more than a member would incur in supporting other IET activities by travelling to a local network meeting or other event.

Apply to be a mentor
To register, simply complete and return the mentor registration form included. You will then receive further information, including details of the training options available.

Q: Is training provided? A:  Yes. The IET provides free training and support to all volunteer

How do I find out more?

Visit our website: www.theiet.org/mentoring or email us at: mentoring@theiet.org

mentors. Three types of training are available including an online programme, local workshops or a one-day training course. You can choose the training option that best suits your needs.

Guidelines for mentoring relationships

The following guidelines should be read by all mentors and mentees. They do not constitute a formal agreement, but should be understood by both parties.

n  At the outset, the roles of mentor and mentee should be agreed. n  The mentors role is to respond to the mentees developmental needs. The mentor must not impose his/her own agenda. n  Both parties should take equal responsibility for progression of the mentoring partnership. n  Any matters discussed between the mentor and mentee should be treated as confidential. n  The mentor should not act on behalf of the mentee. The mentor and mentee should be open and truthful with each other and in connection with the relationship itself at all times. n  The mentor and mentee should respect each others time and other responsibilities, ensuring that they do not impose beyond what is reasonable. n  Where possible (depending on both parties geographical location), the frequency and length of meetings should be mutually agreed, along with the means of contact between meetings for minor issues. n  The mentor should provide constructive feedback to the mentee, while the mentee should attempt to tackle any areas requiring development. n  Both mentor and mentee must be happy with the location of meetings, giving due regard to safety, security, mutual wellbeing and travel arrangements. n  Mentors should be able to decide whether it is appropriate to refer a mentee elsewhere for advice, but should never offer specific advice themselves. The mentors role is to challenge and support the mentee. n  The relationship should last for a mutually agreeable time period, after which it can be continued or terminated. n  Both mentor and mentee should share responsibility for the smooth winding-down of the relationship once it has achieved its purpose, and inform the IET of this.

I had great help from my mentors and I wanted to be able to help others in the same way. I enjoy the satisfaction of seeing someone achieve their goals.
Eur Ing Vikki Quinn BEng(Hons) CEng MIET Mentor and former mentee Scotland SW

n  Either party may terminate the relationship after discussing the matter with the other first, ensuring mutual respect and understanding of the conclusion. n  The mentoring relationship is entirely voluntary for both parties. The IET does not reimburse any expenditure. Additional points which need to be taken into consideration for those participating in e-mentoring pairings are as follows: n  When face-to-face mentoring is not possible for individuals (distance difficulties, no local mentor/mentee availability, etc), e-mentoring may be suggested and co-ordinated by the IET. n  While e-mentoring may be convenient, it also has to be recognised that it can have limitations, for example: i) it may take longer to build a good mentoring relationship; ii)  the benefits of a face-to-face meeting, such as facial expressions or body language, are lacking from email and telephone relationships.

n  E-mentoring works best for individuals who have an open mind and are keen to make it work.

Mentor Registration Form

Please return completed application form to: Mentoring Service, Professional Development Department, The Institution of Engineering and Technology, Michael Faraday House, Six Hills Way, Stevenage SG1 2AY, UK T: +44 (0)1438 767647 F: +44 (0)1438 765526 E: mentoring@theiet.org

Title: First Name: Membership Number: Address: Surname:

Postcode: Tel (Day): Tel (Mob): Name and location of employer (please state if retired or self employed):

Country: Tel (Eve): Email:

Number of mentees you are prepared to assist at any one time: One Two Three

What do you hope to achieve by participating in this service?

What are your professional interests? (optional)

Do you have any previous mentoring experience or training relevant to the IET mentoring service?

In the first instance, local face-to-face mentoring is best practice and strongly encouraged. However, should this not be possible, would Yes No you consider being linked to someone at a distance by mentoring virtually via email or over the telephone? I hereby give my permission for this information to be circulated to those relevant members within a local network, and I have read and understood the Mentoring Guidelines on the opposite page. Data Protection
The information that you provide to the IET will be used to ensure we provide you with products and services that best meet your needs. This may include the promotion of specific IET products and services by post and/or electronic means. By providing us with your email address and/or mobile telephone number you agree that we may contact you by electronic means. You can change this preference at any time by visiting www.theiet.org/my.

Signed:

Date:

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