Rheem has launched a new e-mentoring pilot program for plumbers and gasfitters.

Rheem Australia is calling for mentors in the plumbing and gas fitting industries for a new pilot e-mentoring initiative developed in partnership with Campbell Page, one of Australia’s leading not-for-profit community services organisations.
Whether you currently work as a plumber or a gas fitter, own a business, are retired, or are a trade industry teacher, your knowledge and experiences are invaluable in helping those just starting out in their career – and it’s a great way to give back to the industry.

The Rheem Apprenticeships and Youth Scheme (RAYS) links mentors and mentees using Campbell Page’s e-mentoring suite. The pilot program is based on a sophisticated website that will match apprentices and mentors according to their career aspirations and experience. The website then facilitates ongoing conversations in a secure online environment that can have a lasting effect on an apprentice’s or young tradesperson’s career.

“We have long recognised the value of mentoring in helping people complete their education, develop skills, choose a career and find and remain in a job. E-mentoring takes face-to-face mentoring online and overcomes the biggest challenges to this traditional approach – geography and time,” says Sharon Hampton, national manager, Youth & Family Programs, Campbell Page.

The decision to develop a pilot e-mentoring program for the plumbing and gas fitting industries was made in light of the high attrition rate amongst trainees and apprentices being experienced in Australian trades.

“We believe plumbing and gas fitting are foundational trades and play a fundamental role in maintaining a healthy community and a vibrant growing economy,” Sharon says. “Quite simply, these are trades that warrant our support.
“Mentors don’t have to be an employer or have a minimum number of years in the industry, they only need industry knowledge and an interest in helping us secure and nurture tomorrow’s qualified plumbers and gas fitters. For just an hour a week, mentoring can be hugely rewarding.”

Adds Gareth Jennings, Rheem Australia’s public affairs manager: “We know that lack of support is a key reason why a large percentage of plumbing apprentices drop out before completing their training and we have worked closely with Campbell Page to explore ways to improve this outlook.

“Rheem is dedicated to this valuable initiative and is committed to investing in our skills future. We encourage as many potential mentors to come forward to offer their support and look forward to introducing new mentors and mentees. The objective is for mentors and mentees to develop quality relationships based on trust, respect, understanding and empowerment.”

With the advent of web-based technologies, e-mentoring has become popular in the northern hemisphere over the last decade and is gaining momentum in Australia. The RAYS program will be piloted for a year, and if successful, Campbell Page will continue the program as well as consider the format for other industries.

What mentors can expect
• Training: All RAYS mentors will receive online and over-the-phone training, which takes up to two hours
• Tips and hints: Campbell Page will provide useful tips for mentors on how to engage with mentees, and they will be taught questioning techniques
• Careful matching: Mentors will be matched as closely as possible with the profiles of mentees and will assist by being a positive role model
• Setting goals: Mentees will be asked to nominate a particular goal they want to reach with their mentor
• Setting expectations: One of the mentors’ roles will be to temper mentees’ expectations of the industry and to be a trusted sounding board
• Support: Mentors will encourage and support mentees and offer advice and guidance
• Time commitment: Mentors will need to invest just an hour per week (approximately).

The mentors would be assigned up to six mentees each, for a minimum of 12 months, allowing the mentor/mentee relationship to develop. “As it is our intention to assist apprentices through their trade, a 12 month commitment would be great. However, we appreciate people’s circumstances could change and are obviously flexible,” Sharon says.

Importance of apprentices
There were 470,000 Australian apprentices in-training as at 31 March 2012, an increase of 2.4% from the previous year. Apprenticeships are recognised as essential to the Australian economy and the Australian government recently announced the national Kickstart initiative, offering SMEs a bonus payment for those who employ an apprentice between now and February 2013.

Apprentices often start their apprenticeship enjoying the nature and variety of work, with aspirations of one day owning their own business. However, according to the National Centre for Vocational Education Research, completion rates for apprenticeships hover at around 46%. A mentor can help an apprentice work through difficulties, be it training, employer related or even financial, and help keep them in their chosen profession and reach their career goals.

As the Hon Peter Garrett MP stated in opening the Australian Youth Mentoring Network Conference earlier this month, “Mentoring can play a major role in helping young people finish school, find a career that is best suited for them and the development of essential life skills.”

Any plumbers and gas fitters who are interested in becoming a RAYS mentor should email
mentorME@eMEntoring.org.au for further information.