Mentorship plays a key role in apprenticeship. Mentors provide support that goes beyond technical training. A mentor can help apprentices

• navigate challenges in the workplace
• gain a sense of belonging
• develop a supportive network of peers
• build effective communication skills
• improve employability skills
• understand expectations of the workplace

But what’s the difference between a trainer and a mentor?

A trainer is a journeyperson who oversees and trains an apprentice. They teach the apprentice the skills of the trade. They go through the training standards with the apprentice and sign off when they’re completed.

A mentor supports apprentices with skill development, professional growth and navigating the complex apprenticeship system. They may have gone through similar experiences as the apprentice. They support the apprentice on a more personal level to guide them through their apprenticeship journey.

Mentors can be difficult to find, but they’re crucial to an apprentice’s success. Training your journeypersons to be effective mentors can

• provide apprentices with the tools and supports they need to be successful
• help apprentices build their skills more quickly and efficiently
• increase productivity and quality of work
• increase employee retention
• improve job satisfaction
• build positive relationships between employees
• future proof your business by training the next generation of highly skilled workers

Mentorship is especially important for apprentices from underrepresented groups. A study by ApprenticeSearch found that 83% of apprentices from underrepresented groups wouldn’t have been successful without their mentor’s support and guidance. 92% of these apprentices said their mentors taught them things they otherwise wouldn’t have learned.