Professional Development Programs

Canadian Apprenticeship Forum

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

National Mentor Development Program

The National Mentor Development Program’s primary aim is to empower women and gender-diverse individuals within the trades by equipping them with valuable mentorship skills. This program also strives to establish a strong support network that offers coaching and showcases positive role models. The goal of the program is to enhance the retention and career advancement opportunities for women in the trades through creating effective mentors and, subsequently, mentorship relationships.

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BROCHURE

Program Overview

Individuals enrolled in the National Mentor Development Program will participate in five modules and engage in group discussions facilitated by subject matter experts and tradeswomen coaches. These coaches will provide valuable guidance for overcoming workplace challenges, especially pertaining to developing effective mentorship relationships. Additionally, program participants will benefit from personalized one-on-one coaching to address their specific needs and will have access to online materials on mentoring, including giving and receiving constructive feedback. This program will help to empower women and gender diverse individuals to become effective mentors and future leaders in the skilled trades.

Program Highlights

Subject matter experts will deliver training on topics that will support effective mentorship. Participants are required to complete all five modules of the National Mentor Development Program and participate in virtual discussions.

An online learning platform allows participants to complete tasks at their own pace. Group discussions are scheduled at the end of each module to discuss key issues. The full program will take approximately four months to complete.

MODULE 1 :
MENTORSHIP VISION: SETTING THE COURSE
MODULE 2 :
CRAFTING CONNECTION: BUILDING STRONG MENTORSHIPS
MODULE 3 :
NAVIGATING DIALOGUE: EFFECTIVE MENTORSHIP COMMUNICATION
MODULE 4 :
WELLNESS AND WORK : FOSTERING A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT
MODULE 5 :
PASSING THE TORCH: KNOWLEDGE, CAREERS AND CELEBRATIONS

Program Outcomes

The program provides tools and resources to increase the mentoring and teaching abilities of participants as well as their knowledge and motivation to mentor other apprentices in the trades. Access to a supportive peer network will help to increase the retention of the program’s participants in the trades sector.
Program graduates may find opportunities to use these new skills in a variety of settings:

  • formal on-site mentorship of apprentices
  • informal mentorship of apprentices or peers
  • within their unions
  • within the skilled trades community

Your Commitment

To excel in this program, participants must successfully finish the coursework, virtual discussions and assignments within each module. Vital elements for success include active engagement and adherence to course schedules. The ultimate objective is for participants to acquire mentorship expertise and develop the ability to navigate challenging work environments.

Our Commitment

CAF-FCA is dedicated to providing compelling and purposeful resources to aid participants in cultivating their mentorship abilities. Our commitment is to assist you on your learning journey in a manner that is both meaningful and beneficial, as partners in the pursuit of your success.

A Successful Journey

Each module should take an estimated six to eight hours per week to complete. Learning materials and content are provided through an online platform. Throughout the program, participants share ideas in discussion posts and journal entries. A facilitator and tradesperson coach will be available to offer support and active participation is encouraged throughout. The program culminates in a final assignment based on all course content.

For more detailed information, please refer to our Participant Guide.

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Join the National Mentor Development Program

Women or gender diverse individuals in their final year of their apprenticeship or who are journeypersons in a construction or manufacturing trade may apply. We recognize the distinct barriers faced by women and gender-diverse people from multiply-marginalized backgrounds in accessing this type of training. Those from diverse backgrounds (e.g., who are newcomers, identify as 2SLGBTQ+, have a disability, or who are Indigenous, or a person of colour) are especially encouraged to apply.

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Interested in being a Coach?

The National Mentor Development Program is also looking for 5 coaches per cohort to provide guidance and mentorship to the participants of the program. This is a paid position and is open to women and gender diverse individuals in the trades who are qualified journeypersons and have been in their trade for several years. The ideal candidates will have previous experience as a mentor in the trades either in a formal or informal capacity.

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