b'18 Member News March 2024MentoringNew scheme to broaden our mentoring servicesA recommendation from the IET Young ProfessionalsGerm of an idea Testing the waterCommittee (YPC) resultedThe YPC first identified the needWe invited the IET membership to in a six-month pilot of afor a wider mentoring platformtake part in a six-month pilot to test Career Mentoring Schemein 2018. Successive YPCs havethe viability of rolling the scheme for IET members. Thisresearched and developed thisout on a permanent basis. This groundbreaking initiative hasgerm of an idea, including byprompted a big response. We ended been warmly welcomed byconducting a small test in 2021up with 111 participants: 62 mentees mentors and mentees alike. involving 10 mentee/mentor pairs. and 49 mentors (some mentors have In June 2023, IET staff used the YPCstwo mentees). research to formulate a project brief.The pilot launched in mid-September This structured proposition outlined the2023. Mentees used the pilot need for an additional, more holistic,platforms innovative self-matching general career mentoring service,functionality to locate a suitable available to all IET members regardlessmentor, based on the skills, knowledge of age, experience and seniority.and experience in their profile The Internal IET Projects Office anddescription. the Executive Staff team gave theAll interactions between the mentee green light soon after. Before theand their mentor are channelled month was out, the Project team hadthrough the platform, and the system started planning the Career Mentoringkeeps track of the progress each Pilot Scheme.mentee is making towards their goals and sends an automated chaser message if a deadline is approaching What motivated the pilot participants? or has passed.The Project team regularly send Mentee Mentor out a questionnaire to all pilotBe encouraged and empoweredBe a force for good participants, requesting feedback on whats going well, any benefitsDevelop my personal skillsShare my expertise gained, plus any improvement Identify and achieve my career Provide guidance, support andsuggestions. Once the pilot hasgoals feedback ended, the team will produce a reportPlug gaps in my knowledgeEnrich my skill set summarising the findings, including Be more confidentImprove my leadership skills a recommendation as to whether the scheme is a viable business-as- Broaden my career perspectiveDevelop new professional relationshipsusual IET membership offering. Learn about other industriesLearn from the mentees experiencesPick up great tipsGain personal satisfactionWatch this space!'