Calderdale College marks National Mentoring Day with launch of free courses

Ahead of National Mentoring Day (Thursday October 27), Calderdale College has launched two fully funded courses designed to teach mentors and managers how they can help make their apprentices feel “more confident and motivated” at work.

The courses, Understanding Mentoring and Understanding Good Practice in Mentoring, will also help mentors and managers to develop their own leadership and communication skills, and to play a greater role in supporting an apprentice to achieve their career goals.

Both courses form part of the college’s Collaborative Apprenticeships project, which aims to increase the quantity and improve the quality of apprenticeships in SMEs across Calderdale and its surrounding areas.

The Level 2 unit in Understanding Mentoring course is aimed at individuals who are new to mentoring apprentices, and guides participants through the role of a mentor and the benefits of mentoring, as well as how to effectively mentor apprentices.

The Level 3 unit in Understanding Good Practice in Mentoring course is suited to those who are currently providing mentoring support, and who want to develop their mentoring knowledge and skills.

It includes modules on the importance of effective and ethical contracting, as well as the role of recording, reflection, and supervision in mentoring within their own practice. Following the training, participants will receive a certificate accredited by the Institution of Leadership and Management (ILM), detailing the unit that has been completed.

Claire Williams, head of employer engagement at Calderdale College, commented: “It can be quite daunting when it comes to mentoring junior members of the team, especially apprentices who are so new to the world of work.

“Our new courses are available to provide mentors and managers with the tools they need to successfully guide apprentices, so that ultimately, their apprentice feels more motivated and understands their role better.

“The benefits of mentoring are twofold. Firstly, managers are given the opportunity to develop their leadership and communications skills, which is great for both their professional development and benefits the wider business. Then, as they receive more effective mentorship, apprentices are likely to be happier and more confident at work.

“We’re very pleased to offer these free courses as part of our wider Collaborative Apprenticeships project, which aims to raise awareness of the valuable role that apprenticeships play within the region’s businesses and encourage more employers to consider taking on apprentices.”

By Matthew Neville – Correspondent, Bdaily

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