Mentoring Matters, a key initiative of the Vocational Mentoring Exchange and Inner Northern Youth Employment Taskforce, is delivered in an education setting and contributes towards a students’ VCAL (Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning). Mentors will draw from their own career/life experience and networks to guide in-class career discussions and simple activities, overseen by the VCAL Teacher.
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, we have 5 school partners with six programs running in Terms 2&3, 2021. 1-2 school partner opportunities remain for 2022 so please contact INLLEN for more information.
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.
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. Mentor training will be provided and while this is ideally a 10 week face-to-face mentoring program, virtual sessions will be implemented should COVID 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 (16-19yrs) 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 support provided by each group of mentors is supplemented with organised industry visits and input from invited guest speakers.
The total time commitment is approximately 35 hours from the initial interview and training through to final evaluation.
How to apply
1. Download, complete and save the Mentor Application Form (editable PDF)
2. Email vme@edconnect.org.au attaching:
-
- Completed and signed Application Form
- 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
When?
The following dates are indicative, with exact days and times to be confirmed.
Training/Induction/Evaluation
Virtual Mentor Training
Term 2 Mentors
- Part One: 23 or 24 February
- Part Two: 2 or 3 March
Term 3 Mentors
- Part One: 25 or 26 May
- Part Two: 1 or 2 June
School Induction for Mentors
Term 2 Schools – w/c 22 March
Term 3 Schools – w/c 21 June
Mentor Focus Groups
This evaluation conversation will be held following
the completion of in-class mentoring.
Term 2 Mentors – w/c 12 July
Term 3 Mentors – w/c 4 October
Mentoring Sessions
In-class Mentoring Sessions
Six options in 2021:
Term 2: 10 weeks (19 April – 25 June)
Glenroy College, Glenroy – Mondays 12:40 am – 2:40 am
Glenroy Neighbourhood Learning Centre, Glenroy - Wednesdays 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
The Island Work Education Centre, Coburg – Wednesdays 1:20 pm – 3:00 pm
Term 3: 10 weeks (12 July – 17 September)
Glenroy College, Glenroy - Dates and Times TBC
Sydney Road Community School, Brunswick - Dates and Times TBC
William Ruthven Secondary College, Reservoir - Dates and Times TBC
"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
Why Vocational Mentoring?
A Vocational Mentor works with a small group of students to clarify and support their career aspirations.
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. Read More
Background
The Vocational Mentoring Exchange was conceived in 2014 through the work of the Inner Northern Youth Employment Taskforce (INYET) and Inner North Community Foundation (INCF).
The INCF 2016 Research Report, Inner North Mentoring Exchange: A Regional Mentoring Resource, identified that “available mentoring programs were predominantly of small scale...Read More
Project Partners
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
M: 0408 036 602
For all mentor enquiries contact:
Helen Anderson
EdConnect Australia Liaison Officer
M: 0498 016 337
(Mon, Tues and Thurs)