Mentorship is a key factor in retention of your apprentices. Over half of apprentices report that they would leave a job if their employer didn’t provide a mentor to support their learning. But there may be times when you don’t have a mentor available who is a good fit for your apprentice. In these cases, you may want to connect your apprentice with a mentor from outside your workplace. Here are some tips and resources to help you connect your apprentice with a mentor.

• ApprenticeSearch can connect apprentices with mentors and a variety of other resources including:
  • peer mentorship groups for women in the skilled trades
  • industry networking events
• National Mentor Development Program offers support for women and gender-diverse individuals in the skilled trades. It includes:
  • coaching and mentorship from experienced tradespeople
  • peer support and community connections
  • mentorship training to give participants the skills they need to be future mentors and leaders in the trades
• Women in Mechanical Contracting Group provides education, mentorship and professional development to help women build a career in mechanical contracting
• Skills Council of Canada offers individual support including one-on-one tutoring and mentorship

Additional resources to find mentors for your apprentices:

• Contact list of local women in skilled trades and technology (as of October 2024) – scroll 3/4 down the page to find the list
• Industry Focused Mentorship Program