The CIPR is piloting a national mentoring scheme for its members, starting in March 2011.

The CIPR hopes the annual programme of one-to-one personal engagement will develop and coach PR practitioners to achieve more from their careers.

Each mentor will go through training on the mentoring process, which will include guidelines on levels of engagement, expected commitment and what mentees should get from the scheme. The role of mentors may vary from the need to act as a role model, a sounding board, a guide and a skills developer to an advocate and a champion.

It is hoped the scheme will help advance the practice, professionalism, educational standards and status of public relations within the UK.

via CIPR plans to launch mentoring scheme to develop and coach PR staff – PR and Public Relations news – PR Week.

My thoughts: I think this is a GREAT idea.

Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to be mentored by some of the best in the industry. I think formal processes around mentoring don’t always work such as strict timing, format etc) but putting people in touch with senior figures they like and respect is invaluable as is the possibility of external references, networking opportunities and learning from beyond the walls of your own agency.

Ditto for senior bods, I find I learn as much from the people I have mentored as they probably did from me.  Very worthwhile.