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.

Information Session

If you are interested in attending an Information Session in late January or early February please register here.   The email will be responded to and a Zoom invitation will be sent to you.

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