Career Ready Mentor BriefingBe the mentor you wish you had

Agenda for today• The Career Ready programme• Mentoring• Overcoming challenges of mentoring• Support

• Career Ready is a national charity that links schools with employers – preparing young people for the world of work.

• Two year programme during S5 & S6 serving students:

• aged 15/16-18• with potential• don’t have access to professional networks and role models

(social mobility)• currently middle-achieving• at risk of underperforming and under-attaining• uncertain about what they want to achieve; may lack

confidence• will benefit from guidance and opportunities to compete on a

level playing field for the best jobs/careers in the country

• A growing movement of Local Authorities, schools and employers working in partnership.

The programme

Workplace Visits

Masterclasses Mentoring

Internship Events

Measuring the impact – self assessment

Figures from

City of Edinburgh Council

Student impact cont’dSchool leaver destination results for 2013 and 2014 show that 97% of Career Ready students in Scotland went into a positive destination:

• 25% in employment• 54% in higher education• 21% in further education

National average is currently 92.3%

How Career Ready mentoring works

Student selection & matching

Masterclass 1

Mentor briefing

Launch event

In school meeting1:1 student

meetings – 2 per term

Mentor only sessions

Linked to masterclasses

Skills review

What is mentoring?

Men

torin

g

Supporting someone through a learning or developmental journey

Accepting that every relationship is different

It is about reflecting and encouraging so a student can make the most of

their opportunities

It is mentoring and coaching, so using your greater knowledge to develop a

range of skills in a student

It is a long term relationship and the benefits do not come overnight

Benefits of mentoringStudents• Access to a professional who

can provide impartial, practical advice and an insight into the working world

• Develop professional work ready skills e.g. confidence, networking

• Improve career understanding and attitude e.g. goal setting, using networks

Mentors• Develop leadership and

management skills • Opportunity to share

knowledge and skills• Personal and corporate

reward• Contribute to positive change

A Mentor’s Perspective

“It was a great opportunity to see our business through the eyes of a young person, who brought energy, asked questions, and allowed us to refocus our thinking going forward - and identify talent of the future. It gave my team an opportunity to mentor and support, which in turn supported their own skills development.”

Julie Harbison, Technical Training Manager, Diageo plc

Coordinators Perspectives

“I am a great believer that the success of Career Ready is built upon positive working relationships with the businesses that support us, making sure that they feel valued and that both the school and organisations get something positive and meaningful from the work we do together.”Sue Cook, Deputy Head Teacher, Leith Academy, Edinburgh

“I have been overwhelmed with the positive effect the Career Ready programme is having on our pupils. This is one of the best initiatives I have seen.”Norma Prentice, Head Teacher, Drummond Community High School, Edinburgh

Questions or concerns?• Student seeming unresponsive or not

interested• Problems making contact to arrange

meetings• Student cancelling meetings or not turning

up• You are not sure how you can help• Not sure how much you should help• Where would be a good place to meet?• There is a safe guarding issue

SafeguardingIf you suspect abuse, if a young person confides in you or if a complaint is made about any adult or yourself, it is your duty to report the concern. If you have any concerns about discussions that have taken place please contact Career Ready Safeguarding Officers on 0207 986 5494.

Best practice suggestions• Read the guidelines in the mentor handbook• Modelling good behaviour – you are the adult• Challenge inappropriate behaviour• Put yourself in their shoes – understand their aspirations

and barriers• Being consistent in your approach• Don’t give up at the first hurdle• Setting objectives at the start• Think of new ways to engage your student – invite to

meetings, events, training sessions, introduce them to resources and colleagues

• Ask for the key academic dates in the year• Ask for help

Support•Mentor handbook•Access to Regional Manager•Regular communications •Access to website: www.careerready.org.uk

Career Ready

•Information specific to students•Access to School Coordinator & Local Authority Coordinator•Mentor only sessions School

•LinkedIn group specifically for mentors: http://linkd.in/kxmlmi•Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/careerreadyuk•Twitter - @CareerReadyUK

Social Media

•Lead contact for Career Ready•Other mentors in your organisation

Your Employer

Next steps• Anything else you need?• Meet student at Launch Event• Meet student at school• Exchange details• Set up post October meeting dates in your

workplace• Enjoy• Thank you