Network for Black Professionals
Graphical Version (Active) | Screen Reader Version
Institute of Leadership and Management Approved Centre
Home > Black Leadership Initiative > Mentoring Programme >

Mentoring Programme

The mentoring programme is delivered by the NBP in partnership with the Centre for Excellence in Leadership.

Mentoring: Overview

The BLI matches participants with experienced senior managers and leaders from other institutions, who act as their mentor.

Participants on the mentoring programme will be guided and coached by mentors who have had specific training enabling them to understand the needs of BME staff, institutional barriers they may encounter, and to act as effective mentors.

Programme Coverage

As part of the mentoring programme, mentees receive highly-focused one-to-one support over 12 months, which include face-to-face sessions with email and telephone access in between. Training is provided to participants on how to maximise the benefits of the mentoring programme.

Approach

  • You apply directly to the BLI by registering your interest in having a mentor.
  • Applicants attend an induction session to find out more about the opportunities, arrangements, and expectations.
  • The BLI will then aim to match candidates with mentors based on requirements of the Mentee and the skills & experience of the Mentor.
  • At the end of the mentoring experience, you complete a questionnaire, and attend a review session with other programme participants.

Outcomes

  • Access to a pool of mentors, who include Principals, Chief Executives and other senior managers & leaders from the learning & skills sector and beyond.
  • Coaching to help identify development goals and the actions necessary to achieve those goals.
  • Individuals are encouraged to look at complex personal and professional issues with an unbiased perspective, and in a secure environment.

Participant Profile

Mentoring is open to participants from all LSC-funded providers. You will be goal-oriented with a willingness to assume responsibility for your own learning. Mentoring is not appropriate when individuals are looking only for business advice or help with personal and institutional issues of conflict.

Duration

A combination of face-to-face sessions, email & telephone over 12 months, the mentor will offer up to 15 hours in total with a Mentee.

Fee

There is no charge for this programme. In addition, we have a certain amount of additional funding for participants to partially cover travel and accommodation costs (contribution to be agreed with the BLI).

Programme Lead

Bobby Upple (NBP/BLI).

Testimonials:

"The mentoring process has opened up new opportunities and approaches in identifying with my leadership strength. The power of mentoring cannot be underestimated, as it provided ‘in-sights’ into my inner drivers which have led to the achievement of my promotion to Assistant Principal in an FE college."
Balvir Dhillion
Assistant Principal
Coleg Powys College
BLI Mentee

"Mentoring another manager through the project brings unexpected benefits for the mentor as well as the Mentee. Apart from the vicarious personal satisfaction when my Mentee was appointed to a promoted post, I have also found that making the time to sit and consider issues in the sector and particularly those affecting black managers has given me another dimension to think about when addressing my own work priorities."
Sue Daley
Principal
Boston College
BLI Mentor 

In partnership with