The Next Step Mentoring Scheme is a new initiative
in the field of mentoring. Sponsoring public and private sector
organisations will offer one week’s mentoring at senior
management level to aspiring black minority ethnic professionals, who
are invited by way of national advertisement to put their names forward
for selection.
There is a wide variety of mentoring schemes in
existence. The Next Step Mentoring Scheme has started small, but it has
focused its efforts on a group that is likely to do well. It seeks to
provide an exceptional learning experience, which will allow
individuals to connect with important organisations and ideally guide
them towards making the best career-path choices.
Emphasis within the scheme is on choosing
individuals with special aptitudes necessary to enable them to learn
quickly and benefit broadly from stimulating and challenging contact
with mentors who are proven leaders in a commercial or public service
sphere.
The Next Step Mentoring Scheme has received the
collective support o f senior officials from the sponsoring
companies/organisations, all of whom undertake to commit together the
time and resources necessary for this project to succeed.
Each organisation proposes a range of options to
be offered as elements of their mentoring programme, reflecting
particular areas of specialism and expertise, and these are matched to
appropriate applicants in the Scheme.
By taking part in the project, organisations are
making clear their intention. At the highest level, to recognise and
respect the varied perspectives and backgrounds of their employees. At
a certain level in organisations many ethnic employees who have the
potential to fulfil a management role tend t plateau prematurely, lose
their drive or leave. Participation in the Mentoring Scheme represents
a commitment by the organisations to develop their capacity to accept,
incorporate and empower a diversity talent.
