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Key Elements of Inclusion for Mentors

Celebrating diversity

Equality: Equal access to opportunities, pay, promotions, and more
Diversity: Workforces with diverse backgrounds and experiences
Inclusion: Everyone feels comfortable to actively contribute and participate

ACTION: Find and read your Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion strategy

Knowing your workplace culture

Exposure: Invite your apprentice to attend meetings, and help them understand what’s going on
Language: Keep them up to date with any company or industry-specific jargon and acronyms
Social environment: Work with your colleagues to ensure a welcoming and collaborative environment; help to plan various social events, including small get togethers in work hours

Activity: Reflect on recent workplace meetings. Were less experienced staff encouraged to speak freely? Were everyone’s ideas considered?

Effective Communication Strategies

STEP 1: One-to-one time with mentees
Give mentees regular time where you’re completely present and focused on their progress, and open to anything they have to say

STEP 2: Hear mentees out
Ensure mentees are heard. Listen to their stories , leave space for silences to let them gather their thoughts

STEP 3: Find commonalities
Identifying things you both can relate to helps build trust based on common experience and encourage deeper conversation.

STEP 4: Mutual respect
Respect the expertise they have. Respect their identity. If appropriate, make an effort to learn to preferred name and pronouns.

Stereotypes & cliques

Watch the animation

Stereotypes and cliques can be barriers to creating a sense of belonging in your organisation.
Cliques, or in-groups, can emerge based on shared characteristics. But for every clique, there are people that are excluded.

Activity: Think about how you and your colleagues interact with each other, is there an in-group based on language/terminology?

Stereotypes, preconceived notions based on certain characteristics, can lead to unfair assumptions, misunderstandings, and discrimination. These are not limited to harmful assumptions; stereotypes often present as making broad generalisations about a group of people.

For example, assuming people like or dislike certain things according to their gender is likely to alienate some people. Treat your mentee as an INDIVIDUAL, ask them about their background and interests.

A current tech sector stereotype in the tech sector is that of the “Tech Bro”.

The Tech Bro is a wealthy young man working in tech.

Tech Bro workplace cultures create macho, toxic work environments, characterised by being unprofessional, overly-competitive, and sometimes crude.

Advocacy

Advocating for your mentee means:

  • Reasonable adjustments for the workplace
  • Recognising and addressing discrimination they may face
  • Ensuring equal access. Provide any relevant training or upskilling, and make sure your mentee is aware of opportunities
  • Share your knowledge, experience, and networks
  • Act as a sounding board for ideas and action plans
  • Help them set goals and identify development opportunities
  • Offer encouragement and support their personal and professional development
  • Build the apprentice’s confidence, independence, and self-belief

Celebrating Success

It’s important to celebrate your mentee’s achievements and successes, whether these are in their studies or the workplace. This recognises their journey and helps them feel valued. You can:

  • Celebrate achievements of milestones and successes
  • Hold a graduation ceremony
  • Nominate your apprentice for the National Apprenticeship Awards

Thank you for being a mentor!

Your support can make a huge difference to your mentee’s progress. We hope that you find it rewarding.

Sources

Credits

Infographic Designer: Alyanna Posadas
Animator: Ryan Scott
Content: The Mentor Training Study team