On 29 October, the University hosted its first ever Continued Professional Development CPD Certified Mentor Training event for 102 of its volunteer mentors on the Career Mentoring Scheme.
The Career Mentoring CPD Certified training was designed to allow alumni and non-alumni interested in mentoring Westminster students the chance to refresh their knowledge of mentoring and add some new skills to their repertoire so that they were better prepared for their journey as a mentor. The event welcomed a variety of volunteers from different industries and levels of experience.
The training was delivered by Dr Judie Gannon, Senior Lecturer in the International Centre for Coaching and Mentoring Studies at Oxford Brookes University. Throughout the session, mentors explored the principles and theories that underpin mentoring and the importance of distinctions between coaching and mentoring.
As mentors provide guidance and support to their mentees through their long-term mentoring relationship, discussions focused on the challenges of mentoring across generational and cultural differences. This offered both committed and new mentors an opportunity to learn from each other’s experiences and expand their network.
Speaking about the event, Alumni Relations Officer (Mentoring) Ludovica Siniscalchi Bernabo said: “We are delighted to be able to offer continued professional development opportunities such as this to our mentors. We understand the importance of re-training our volunteers as it provides an opportunity for mentors to refresh their knowledge and explore what it’s like to be a university student stepping into the job market. It also gives mentors a chance to re-engage with the University of Westminster, their home for life.”
Since 2010, the Career Mentoring Scheme has supported, inspired and enabled more than 500 Westminster students or recent graduates each year to significantly develop their skills for the workplace and increase their employability.
The Quintin Hogg Trust has funded many projects at the University, including the Career Mentoring initiative. Their continued support helps the University provide this valuable resource to Westminster students and recent graduates, whilst strengthening its ties with its alumni community and the business world. The project is coordinated by the Mentoring team who are part of the Careers & Employability Service, and work in partnership with the Alumni team.
Find out more about becoming a mentor.
Click here to sign up to be a Westminster mentor.
