Mentoring

The APEN Extension skills mentoring scheme is designed as a low cost peer mentoring system, which will benefit the individuals involved, our discipline and our organisation.

The APEN Extension skills mentoring scheme is available to all. 

Mentees will benefit from:

• the disciplined approach of reflection and planning to achieve outcomes
• increased knowledge and skills in a particular area of interest
• increased confidence in undertaking your daily work
• improved understanding of what is expected in your work role
• a supportive environment where you are encouraged to take risks and learn constructively from failure
• increased potential for career mobility and promotion
• improved understanding of the extension system
• getting to know other APEN members
• access to a “sounding board” to try out new concepts and ideas.

Mentors will benefit from:

• refreshing and honing your own professional skills
• the satisfaction of helping another person grow and further develop
• being challenged to think about your perspectives and viewpoints
• getting to know other APEN members
• helping the extension discipline to grow and mature
• contributing to the future of APEN
• the public recognition of your knowledge and talents
• giving back to others and the organisation
• the challenge of having to explain often complex principles which then improves your own understanding
• being more aware of recent trends and developments in your area of expertise
• the discipline of reflecting on your own career and where you are headed.

• "Pairing with someone outside my existing network was good - to expand contacts and opportunities, and also offered insight into how things are done elsewhere and areas I have not been exposed to before."

• "..... younger professionals, despite the availability of a wide range of on-line and one-on-one resources are still quite vulnerable to the day-to-day pressures of the job, and there are areas in which I can offer useful help. I have really enjoyed the experience."

The Scheme runs over 8-9 months and offers:

• On-line group induction session with program facilitator
• 6 x 1hr monthly mentoring sessions (as agreed with Mentor)
• 1 x group on-line progress sessions with program facilitator
• 4 x on-line group mini-training sessions with guest presenter and program facilitator
• 1 x group on-line end-of-program evaluation session with program facilitator
• 2 x evaluation surveys (mid-term and end-of-program)

For further details, read our original information booklet (366 KB PDF), published in 2008.

To register:

Mentee Fee

A tax invoice will be sent to the mentee after the scheme is underway.  Payment options are by

• credit card on-line or by telephone to APEN Office  +61 2 9160 8116  
• EFT - see invoice for bank details OR
• cheque to APEN Ltd, PO Box  576, Crows Nest NSW 1585, Australia