Author: Dee Kehoe, associate director CPD, Engineers Ireland
Knowledge-centric organisations, which essentially all engineering-led operations have to be in order to remain competitive, have embraced a simple yet powerful development intervention. Top teams of innovative organisations understand that it is no longer enough to expect that an open-door policy and training alone will develop people in a structured, holistic manner. Formal mentoring is a deliberate and effective initiative to improve employees’ ability, engagement and outcomes. Mentoring in organisations is a specific relationship between two individuals based on a mutual desire for learning and development towards organisational objectives. It is a non-reported form of assistance and replaces none of the organisational structures in place. Its functions coalesce around knowledge exchange and behavioural change. In the last two years, there has been a demonstrable shift in the understanding by senior teams of the importance of the planning and policy formation stage of mentoring. Engineers Ireland has enabled clients to roll out effective, sustainable programmes through a step-by-step approach as described below:
STEP 1: The very first step in implementing effective mentoring is for the top team to gain absolute clarity with regard to the strategic rationale for the intervention. We assist organisations in gaining this clarity by facilitating a half-day session with top team representatives. The outcome will be the draft content of a mentoring policy with clear programme objectives, linked to organisational strategy.
STEP 2: With this clarity, it is then possible to rapidly align mentoring to your organisation’s goals. Mentors are trained in a manner which makes sense, removing any fuzziness from the concept. Engineers Ireland facilitates an award-winning in-company one-day training workshop for up to 12 mentors, with ample time for role-play, reflection and lessons learned.
STEP 3: Engineers Ireland can return six months after programme launch to assess outcomes through a blend of online surveys and semi-structured interviews with participants, the outcome of which is a detailed report on the mentoring programme along with recommendations. This holistic approach to mentoring results in numerous benefits for the organisation, mentees and mentors.
| BENEFITS FOR THE ORGANISATION |
| develops an organisational learning culture |
| shares desired organisation behaviours and attitudes |
| enhances leadership and coaching skills in managers |
| improves staff morale, performance and motivation |
| engages, retains and develops performers |
| transfers critical business knowledge and skills |
| BENEFITS FOR THE MENTEE |
| facilitates accelerated, focused learning and development |
| develops a supportive, positive relationship |
| assists with problem solving |
| improves self-confidence |
| encourages reflection on practice |
| opportunity to gain insights from a trusted senior colleague |
| BENEFITS FOR THE MENTOR |
| recognition as a subject matter expert and leader |
| exposure to fresh perspectives, ideas and approaches |
| enhances leadership and coaching skills |
| knowing that they are helping a colleague develop |
| extension of their professional development |
| opportunity to reflect on their own goals and practices |
COMREG CASE STUDY
ComReg initiated a pilot mentoring programme in 2013 and the evaluation of the programme in December 2013 yielded highly positive feedback from both mentors and mentees. Having reflected on the outcomes of the pilot programme, the top team decided to roll out the programme organisation-wide in early 2014 and formal mentoring has become a well-established and communicated professional development opportunity for all staff in the organisation.
“Engaging in Engineers Ireland’s comprehensive mentoring package has helped ensure a solid and sustainable mentoring programme at ComReg, with positive measurable outcomes to date,” said Norah Ambrose, HR specialist at ComReg. Contact the CPD team in Engineers Ireland on 01 6651305 or at cpdemployers@engineersireland.ie if you have any specific queries.