International youth mentoring research tends to suggest that the more thorough the training, the greater the likelihood of mentors making a positive connection with their mentees and having more meaningful discussions ie, talking about personal problems, difficulties, challenges etc. A number of credible programmes suggest a minimum of 16 hours of mentor training prior to the matching of the mentor with the mentee. Where one is mentoring students in the 'high risk' category, the number of hours training could be between 20 and 30.
However, where the emphasis is on the mentor simply being a 'friend' to the young person e.g. aged 7 to 13, the training might be about 12 hours (even less) in duration, with more emphasis placed on ongoing training. Much will depend on the overall aims of the particular youth mentoring programme.
From personal experience, during which time I have tried a number of different options, the most effective training is spread over a number of weeks. This gives the mentors a chance to reflect on the content, at the same time deciding for themselves whether or not they are ready to mentor and are prepared to make the commitment required of the programme.
The cost of attending a Mentor Training Programme will naturally vary from programme to programme, dependent on available funds, as will the accreditation status of each programme.
For the past nine years I have run over 60 Mentor Training programmes, which have varied between 17.5 hours and 24 hours in length and have been attended by over 700 volunteer adult mentors, as well as workshops covering specific mentor-related topics of a shorter duration. This training course has been predominantly geared for young people aged between 12 and 19, with mentors specifically encouraging them to work towards their own goals once the mentor-mentee connection has been established. More recently I have also focused on Generation Y and Generation Z research and incorporated this into the training, as the impact of technology is significant on the lives of young people today.
The complete training course, held over a number of weeks (at the request of the mentors themselves), meets all the criteria of international youth mentoring research. Indeed, it probably goes further than some of the training programmes because of its reflective and experiential nature. I believe that no Mentor should be allowed to mentor a young person if they are not feeling comfortable with who they are themselves. Young people are vulnerable and need secure and stable Mentors to guide them along life's journey.
A brief outline of ONE process involved in training volunteer adult mentors follows:
REQUIREMENTS: All prospective Mentors must meet the following requirements, which are compatible with all credible youth mentoring programmes world-wide (requirements will differ from country to country eg, some programmes might require Mentors to have proof of insurance of a motor vehicle and a Driver's Licence if they intend transporting their mentees anywhere):
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Attend the full Mentor Training Programme. If they miss some aspect, the Programme Coordinator or another staff employee is responsible for guiding the mentor through the missed session. Programme Coordinators should ensure that Mentors are fully briefed on the main aspects of the programme prior to the training. A well presented website could assist this process for many mentors.
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Complete a Police Check.
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Be recommended by two referees.
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Have a GP approve suitability to be a Mentor to an adolescent (where applicable).
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Complete a Child, Youth and Family check (in New Zealand).
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On completion of the Mentor Training Programme, attend a one-on-one interview with a Programme staff member to review the Mentor Training and discuss aspects of the mentoring journey, as well as giving Programme staff an opportunity to decide whether or not the mentor is suitable for mentoring a student in that particular programme. Mentors are presented with a Certificate of Attendance at the completion of the training programme.
AIM OF THE YES! MENTOR TRAINING PROGRAMME: To prepare and equip potential Mentors with the knowledge and some of the key skills required if they wish to embark on a mentoring relationship with a young person.
KEY OUTCOMES OF THE YES! MENTOR TRAINING PROGRAMME: This is an experiential, generic course with the following outcomes:
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an understanding of the qualities and expectations of a mentor - 80% of this course is applicable to any mentoring experience
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development of key mentoring skills:
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qualities of a mentor as a person of influence.
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goal getting and assessing.
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assisting an adolescent develop a positive self-image.
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identifying and encouraging the development of resiliency qualities.
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building relationships with peers, family, other adults.
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conflict resolution skills.
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effective communication techniques.
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an opportunity for personal reflection in some key areas of life's journey
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understanding some of the issues and experiences facing Generation Y and Generation Z young people
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understanding the purpose and functioning of the programme the Mentors are being prepared for. This might involve a guest speaker talking about high risk issues, for example, if this is a major aspect of a particular programme.
THE YES! MENTOR TRAINING PROGRAMME INCLUDES:
Further information on all modules covered during the training programme is found in the resource book: The Spirit of Mentoring - a Manual for Adult Volunteers, which is given to all participants at the first training session. Throughout the book are numerous mentoring tips to facilitate the mentor/mentee relationship which lies at the heart of the mentoring journey. There is also an extensive Bibliography for those interested in reading more material on mentoring.
The core modules covered will include a talk from a member of the Programme staff, as well as a combination or all of the following modules:
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Module: Becoming a Mentor
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Module: Goal Getting
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Module: Self-concept, adolescent issues and assertive behaviour
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Module: Resiliency
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Module: Communication
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Module: Resolving conflicts
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Module: Mentoring adolescents from high risk environments (where applicable)
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Module: Course Summary and Evaluation
A written evaluation is completed by all participants at the end of the training.
SUPERVISION AND ONGOING TRAINING:
Supervision of Mentors is a vital component of the mentoring journey. Regular contact should be made between the Programme Coordinator and both the Mentor and the mentee during the early months of the mentoring journey. Mentors should be encouraged to meet weekly with their mentees initially and then fortnightly, though this will depend on the type of programme. Most credible mentoring programmes suggest a minimum of four to six hours interactive time between Mentors and mentees a month. School Based Programmes are easier to run, with ongoing supervision relatively easy to undertake if a debrief session is included each time the Mentors meet with their mentees.
In addition, ongoing training is crucial to the success of any youth mentoring programme. Mentors need an opportunity to reflect on their mentoring skills, to discuss any issues they might be facing during the mentoring journey, as well as the opportunity to listen to visiting speakers who might address topics of relevance to the mentoring journey e.g. drug and alcohol abuse; sexual diseases; community programmes; chaqllenges facing Generations Y and Z, helping a mentee plan a career and so on.
As part of the supervision and ongoing training, Programme Coordinators are encouraged to have some form of evaluation of their programme. This is vital for the development of the programme, as well as for programmes seeking funding support.
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lectures
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icebreakers/energisers
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tasks
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stories
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large group/ small group/ triads/ pairs discussion
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role play
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an opportunity to listen to a mentor and mentee (perhaps the mentee's parent/s as well) share their mentoring journey experience (where the program has been in existence for a while)
