Mentors for Our Students (MFOS)

June 2009 Update

The MFoS Pilot is progressing well, with the first group of mentors completing their TAFE training on June 15. We are looking forward to commencing the face to face stage of the pilot in late July. We have been working closely with schools to match mentor areas of expertise with students' career interests.

We have had a pleasing response from those people volunteering to be mentors, but there are still opportunities for others to join the program. If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a mentor or the MFoS Pilot, please contact Leigh Killian on 49 568 468 or 0403 551 766.

 

MFoS Overview

MFoS is an exciting project being funded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and piloted in selected LCPs around Australia, to determine whether it should be expanded nationally in the future. Career Links is working with five local secondary schools - Newcastle High School, Toronto High School, Cardiff High School, Lake Macquarie High School and Whitebridge High School - to run this program with targeted Year 10 students. MFoS will assist students to understand the skills, attitudes, training and experiences required for careers identified as being within local skill shortage areas.

To successfully run this project we need enthusiastic mentors with experience in any of the following areas:

Trades:

Metal Machinist

Toolmaker

Pressure welder/welder

Sheet Metal Worker

Motor Mechanic

Auto Electrician

Panel Beater

Vehicle Painter

Air Conditioning Mechanic

 

Professional and Paraprofessional:

Computing Professional

Registered Nurse

Registered Midwife

Registered Mental Health Nurse

Pharmacist

Physiotherapist

Medical Diagnostic Radiographer

Sonographer

Childcare Coordinator

Childcare Worker

 

 


The program aims to:

  • engage young people with recently retired tradespeople;
  • ensure that young people are able to explore career options and increase their knowledge of the work environment;
  • encourage young people to seek out careers in areas experiencing skill shortages and to enhance their industry knowledge;
  • support young people to stay in school where appropriate, and continue learning;
  • pass on the vast skills and knowledge of older Australians to young Australians; and
  • improve school to work transitions of young people.
  • improve the profile and understanding of skill shortage areas for young people and consequently lift participation, productivity and growth, and improve labour market flexibility
  • Give mentors a valuable experience with youth, making a positive difference in their lives.

How can you help?

We are currently looking to recruit mentors who are available to commit to a mimimum of one hour face-to-face mentoring per week for one school term, as well as the initial training phase. People who may make suitable mentors include:  

  • retirees with a trade background and trade or professional qualifications
  • semi-retired people still working in skill shortage areas and/or with a trade background and trade or professional qualifications

TAFE Training will be freely provided to mentors, and there will be ongoing support from Career Links.

Remuneration for approved out of pocket expenses is available for mentors who are involved for a minimum 3 month period.

Mentors will need to agree to an Australian Federal Police criminal record check, and make a Prohibited Employment Declaration.

 

To find out more...

If you have any questions or would like to find out more about becoming a mentor, please contact Leigh Killian at Career Links on 49 568 468 or 0403 551 766.