Mentoring Matters is a key initiative of the Vocational Mentoring Exchange. The 10 week program is delivered in an education setting and contributes towards a students’ VCAL (Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning). Volunteer mentors draw from their own career/life experience and networks to guide in-class career discussions and simple activities, overseen by the VCAL Teacher.

Vocational mentoring is a key support in career exploration and job seeking for socially and economically disadvantaged young people. Vocational mentoring can help young people with limited social capital learn about the workplace, clarify their aspirations, extend their networks, and help find work opportunities.

Piloted successfully in 2017, this three year program (2020-2022) will support up to 240 young people in 6-7 secondary settings. Although unable to implement in 2020 due to COVID restrictions, 5 school partners implemented six mentoring programs in Terms 2&3, 2021.

For 2022, only 2 school partner opportunities remain so please contact INLLEN for more information.

Mentoring Matters Program Resources

Program Framework

The Program Framework is aligned to the VCAL Curriculum and has been developed collaboratively with school partners. As a framework it is intended to be adapted by the VCAL Teacher to best meet the needs of their students. View Program Framework PDF

Tool Box Activities

This collection of activities is intended to support the mentoring sessions. Like the Framework, they can be adapted to meet the needs of students or augmented with existing school or mentor resources. View  Tool Box Activities PDF

Help change a life and become a Volunteer Vocational Mentor

INLLEN is working in partnership with EdConnect Australia to recruit, screen and train volunteer mentors from the community. No special qualifications are needed, just a desire to inspire, guide and build the confidence of a small group of young people. Comprehensive free mentor training is provided and while this is ideally a 10 week face-to-face mentoring program, virtual sessions will be implemented should COVID-19 limit access to schools.

What's involved?

Through 10 weekly two hour sessions in April – June or July - September, mentors support individuals and small groups of up to 3 senior secondary students (16-18yrs) to:

• consider their career options,
• develop/update their career action plan and resume,
• strengthen their interview skills,
• participate in workplace tours in a career area of interest to them, and
• extend their network of contacts in diverse industries and occupations.

The total time commitment is approximately 31 hours from the initial interview and training through to final evaluation.

Vocational Mentor Role Description 

School Information 

How to apply

The VME uses Better Impact as their volunteer management platform. To complete the application form you will need to have to hand:

A copy of your current resume / or a list of your work experience

A copy of your Working With Children Check card (WWCC) if you have one

Note that to become a VME volunteer mentor you will also need to be up to date with your COVID vaccinations (3 doses)

APPLY NOW

"I really enjoyed working with the students on the mentoring pilot and found it very rewarding.  Debriefing and problem solving with other mentors was an unexpected bonus. I would highly recommend the experience to anyone who is interested in listening, guiding and learning."

Christopher Baker, Pilot Mentor

"The significant shift came when the mentee grasped their own capacity to navigate the myriad of vocational resources on offer. Subtle shifts in confidence assist in progressing programs like this, [and] can never be underestimated"

Pilot Mentor

Contact Us

For all enquiries about the VME or Mentoring Matters project contact:

For general enquiries about the VME or Mentoring Matters project contact:

Rochelle Darby

INLLEN Manager Transitions

E: rdarby@inllen.org.au

M:  0408 036 602