Women in Rail Mentoring Program 2020

Information Session

1

Premium Sponsor

Sponsors

Pilot

2019

2

Information Workshop Agenda

https://ara.net.au/women-rail-mentoring-

program-2020

• Intent of the program

• Participants’ expectations and roles

• Requirements of the program

• Program timeline and milestone events

3

Intent of the Women in Rail Mentoring

Program

The ARA Women in Rail Mentoring Program is a six-month program designed to support, guide and retain women currently employed in the rail industry through professional and leadership development and to expand their industry knowledge.

Following the successful pilot program in 2019, the ARA decided to continue the program in 2020.

Why Mentoring for Women?

• Diversity at all levels creates higher performance and profit

• At every stage of leadership pipeline, men are still more likely as women to be promoted

• Retaining women in the rail industry

• Mentoring can– Help develop their own authentic leadership style

– Help build career-enhancing networks

– Give women greater self-confidence in their competence and potential, at critical career transition points

– “Educate” the system about systemic organisationalbarriers

5

Why Mentoring for Women?

• In a study into formal mentoring programs in

Fortune 500 companies, the five most frequently

cited impacts of mentoring included:

• • Retention (59 %)

• • Promotion and advancement (35 %)

• • Satisfaction (35 %)

• • Morale (29 %)

• • Productivity and performance (29 %).

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Mentor? Mentee?

Have you got what it takes?

• As a mentor– What is your motivation?

– Time is the asset to invest

– Sometimes it takes time to build rapport

• As a mentee– What are your expectations

from mentoring program?

– Why do you want to be mentored?

– Are you ready to DRIVE it????

What is mentoring?

Mentoring is a relationship

based on an exchange of

knowledge, experience and

goodwill.

Mentors help someone less

experienced gain

confidence, clearer purpose,

insight and wisdom.

In developmental mentoring,

the mentor, too, is changed

by the relationship.

Prof David Clutterbuck

Mentoring is not…

• a replacement for line management

• coaching or training or counselling

• a one way road

• a guarantee of outcomes (e.g. promotions, rotations)

• the answer to all of your problems!

Coaching vs Mentoring

Opening perspectives/

horizons

Coach

Mentor

Skills, knowledge, behaviours,

competencies

Long-term

Short-term

• Engagement with knowledgeable and

experienced rail professionals

• Guidance and support regarding workplace

matters and career development

• Enhancing leadership skills and capability

• Excellent networking opportunities

• Receiving feedback and developmental

guidance

• Identifying professional growth

opportunities

• Support with career planning in the rail

industry

• Goal setting

• Gaining new perspectives

• Satisfaction in helping others

• Contributing back to the profession

• Supporting industry future leaders

• Staying abreast of emerging issues

relevant to the profession

• Further development of mentoring skills

such as listening, asking questions,

guiding, providing feedback,

communication and interpersonal skills

• Gaining new perspectives

• Developing business networks

• Engaging with mentees in different

organisations, sectors of the industry and

locations around Australia and New

Zealand

Benefits For Mentees Benefits For Mentors

Benefits of Mentoring

What Next?Mentees, ask yourself: • Are you interested in developing

yourself?

• Are you looking for greater opportunities in the company?

• Do you want to build your network beyond your work group?

• Do you need help transitioning out of your current role?

• Do you need external expertise with your projects/work issues?

• Complete the application form online by COB 6 March 2020

About this Program

• Up to 40 pairs

• ‘E-mentoring’ format PLUS face-to-face

• 6 months, from April to October

• Only employees of ARA members can

participate as mentors and mentees

• Mentoring pairs set own agenda and

pace

• What you discuss is confidential

• Mentees: small cost is involved,

endorsement/funding from employers is

required

• Matching process is primarily based on

the requirements related to

career/professional development areas

Program Timeline

End of January –Beginning of March

•Info session and call for applications

Program Applications

End of March

•Matching is done by system and reviewed by Sub-Committee

•Online Training is completed by each participant

Matching Process & Training 20 May

• Program workshop

• ARA Diversity in Rail Lunch

• Attendance is important!

Program Introduction

August

•Webinar to review progress

Program ReviewEnd of October

Formal end of program but you are welcome to continue

Program Close

Participants ResponsibilitiesMentee• ‘Drive’ the mentoring relationship – give your

mentor direction about what you want from the program and be responsible for booking meetings and catch-ups

• Respect your mentor’s time and also your own. Make sure you give this program your full attention and

• devote enough time to achieve the outcomes you are seeking

• Undertake the program training provided• Prepare for your meetings to maximise mentors

time and the experience• Read and abide by the Code of Conduct (in

Information Pack)• Respond to your mentor and the Program Manager

in a timely manner• Complete the short feedback surveys sent to you• Advise the Program Manager immediately if there

are problems or you cannot fulfil your responsibilities

• Understand that mentoring is not counselling, training or coaching

Mentors• Be available and accessible to the mentee

according to the meeting frequency guidelines of this program.

• Understand that, if you cancel or postpone meetings frequently, you may send the wrong signal to your mentee and they might give up trying to contact you

• Undertake the training provided. It will help you, even if you are an experienced manager

• Listen more than you talk• You may not have the answers to all your mentee’s

questions and that is appropriate. Don’t go beyond the bounds of your experience or expertise

• Read and abide by the Code of Conduct (in Information Pack)

• Respond to your mentee and the Program Manager in a timely manner

• Complete the short feedback surveys sent to you• Advise the Program Manager immediately if there

are problems or you cannot fulfil your responsibilities

Program Time Commitment and Dates

Activity Approx. length

Training, reading and webinars About 3 days in total

Preparation and time spent in mentoring conversations

and follow-ups

1-2 hours per month

Program surveys 1/2 hour in total

Attendance at the Program Launch event Approx. 4 hours plus travel

Activity Approx. date

Applications Open 29 January 2020

Program Information Webinar 14 February 2020

Applications Close 6 March 2020

Matching Pairs, Confirmation to Participants 30 March 2020

Program Launch Webinar 27 April 2020

Program Launch Event (Diversity in Rail Lunch) 20 May 2020

Completion of the Program 27 October 2020

Questions?

https://ara.net.au/women-rail-mentoring-

program-2020

Email: programs@ara.net.au