Program Facts
The Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR) MineMentor V-mentoring is currently in a piloting phase and will be launched in the Spring of 2009.
- This formal, structured program was devised to address the potential human resources crisis in Canada's fastest growing industry. Too few people are entering the industry, which expects some 40 per cent of its ageing workforce to retire over the next decade.
- MineMentor was designed to raise awareness among youth of the professional and monetary rewards of a career in the industry through virtual mentoring relationships with exceptional workers from the mining sector.
- MineMentor V-mentors are experienced industry personnel who volunteer a minimum of three hours per month to assist students entering the field, primarily through virtual (e-mail and online) contact, over one to three four-month terms.
- MineMentor V-mentees are undergraduate and graduate college and university students in mining-related fields, who are seeking guidance from an experienced worker in the industry.
- A Program Coordinator ensures that communication between the V-mentors and V-mentees is effective and that the virtual relationships are satisfying to all involved.
- Program supports include an Orientation Workshop, a Handbook and a V-mentoring Toolbox. Additional support is provided through online communication on the MineMentor portal (Community blog and message board). V-mentors also receive support from the Program Coordinator via the V-mentor Coach, whereby short e-mail messages providing advice and guidance are sent out to V-mentors about every two weeks.
- Participation in MineMentor requires adherence to a Privacy Agreement, Code of Conduct and V-mentoring Partnership Agreement.
To register in the Program, V-mentors and V-mentees visit the MineMentor Portal to first complete a personal profile - this is then used to identify an appropriate match.
- After a V-mentee registers, he or she can select up to three possible V-mentors from a bank of profiles. MiHR compares the students profile with those of the selected V-mentors and requests approval from the best matched V-mentor before the V-mentoring pair is introduced.
- V-mentors and V-mentees are matched according to their interests, preferences and situations e.g. area of expertise/study, location, professional and personal skills and qualities. Both parties have the opportunity to review, accept or reject a proposed pairing.
- Ongoing monitoring and evaluation are key aspects of MineMentor to ensure the continued relevance and success of the Program.
