Generation Next members can gain a helping hand in progressing their careers by buddying up with senior businessmen and women as part of a new initiative.
East Midlands Chamber’s network for young professionals has introduced a mentoring scheme as part of its membership package.
Members can sign up to be paired with a business leader among a group of volunteers, representing a range of business sizes and sectors, to ask for advice and learn from their experiences.
They can access the scheme via a new portal on the Generation Next website, which also contains learning and development material via a document library.
East Midlands Chamber director of resources and Generation Next lead Lucy Robinson (pictured) said: “We are thrilled to launch our new mentoring scheme. A mentoring relationship can be incredibly valuable to a young worker who is looking for extra support or advice as they embark on their career.
“Whether you’re unsure how to ask for that promotion, or need advice on solving a work-related problem, the Generation Next mentors each have the experience to coach you through.”
“The team is particularly excited about the new members-only access area, which will be of great benefit to our existing members, and those looking to join us in the future. Each user can access worksheets and advice documents to help track and support their progress with us, while also being able to contact one of our mentors.”
How the Generation Next mentoring scheme works
Generation Next was established by East Midlands Chamber in 2020 as a network for young professionals to make connections, build new skills and advance their careers.
It features networking sessions and educational events on topics such as marketing, brand awareness, sales and personal finance, as well as running its own annual awards programme.
The new mentoring scheme will mean Generation Next members can now link up with a chosen mentor to receive career guidance and coaching, covering a minimum of eight hours support over four months.
Business leaders from across the East Midlands have signed up to support the scheme, with the first cohort including 1284 Ltd owner and former editor of the Leicester Mercury George Oliver, Nottingham University Business School associate dean for business and community engagement Professor David Park and Loughborough Educational Trust chair Ian Sharpe.
The programme’s launch was marked with an online panel event yesterday (25 January) jointly hosted with the network’s headline partner, the University of Derby.
The university’s employer and community engagement manager Jacqui Measures led the discussion on how to achieve a successful mentoring experience.
Speaking about the launch of the new scheme, she said: “Through our own employer mentoring scheme at the University of Derby, we understand the value and the benefits that can be gained through successful mentoring conversations and relationships for all involved.
“We are thrilled to be involved in the launch of the Generation Next mentoring scheme, and to be part of the wider project to inspire young people to become the business leaders of the future through a combination of academic expertise and real-world experience.”
Generation Next mentors and members can take part in an accredited online CPD course on “mentoring in the workplace” run by the University of Derby. It helps delegates prepare for becoming a mentor and developing a valuable mentoring relationship.
Business leaders based in the region can join the cohort of mentors by enquiring online.
Those wanting to access the Generation Next mentoring scheme can sign up to its membership package online at www.generationnextemc.co.uk/become-a-member/.
