AHEP Mentoring

AHEP Mentoring is here to connect our members with the knowledge and experience of supportive colleagues from across the AHEP community.

The programme is an opportunity for our members to use the mentor relationship to empower their career journeys, improve their professional practice and support their professional development.

As the largest association of HE professionals in the UK, with members in roles covering the full-breadth of professional services, AHEP is uniquely positioned to offer this scheme.

Who is it for?

The scheme is open to any AHEP member who would like help with their career development. Participants may be:

  • New to the sector
  • Moving into a new role or moving up to management
  • Seeking new opportunities
  • Taking the step up to senior leadership
  • Seeking feedback on professional challenges
  • Seeking support with interpersonal relationships
  • Seeking work/life balance support
  • Seeking support with career development planning

The benefits of mentoring

For the mentor

  • Satisfaction of helping others develop and giving back
  • Recognition from participating in a sector wide scheme
  • Developing or improving your own management/coaching/listening skills
  • Insight gained from sharing and discussing process and procedures with colleagues from another institution
  • Reflect on your own development as you support others
  • Contributing to the sector
  • Identifying and assisting future talent
  • Expanded network

For the mentee

  • Practical advice, encouragement and support
  • Identify development goals and establish a sense of direction
  • Increased self-confidence and motivation
  • Insight gained from sharing and discussing process and procedures with colleagues from another institution
  • Access to a confidential sounding board
  • Learn from the direct experiences of others and get a different perspective on specific work problems
  • Gain experience from outside of your own institution
  • Gain knowledge and skills from outside your current work area
  • Expanded network

How does it work?

AHEP Mentoring is an opportunity for AHEP members to connect with each other based on areas of professional strength and desired growth using the AHEP Professional Framework. AHEP Mentoring is designed to let the participants drive the relationship and you are encouraged to set goals and meet on a regular basis that fits your schedules and development needs.

Here’s what you need to know about the AHEP Mentoring Programme:

1. Overview: AHEP Mentoring provides a platform for members like you to connect with mentors or mentees based on areas of professional strength and desired growth. Our programme is designed to empower participants to drive their mentoring relationships, setting goals and meeting on a schedule that suits their needs.

2. Application Process: Mentoring applications will be open twice a year and reviewed and matched in May and October following the application deadline. Whether you’re interested in becoming a mentor or a mentee, you’ll have the opportunity to complete an online application form during these windows. Our Professional Development team will carefully review all applications and strive to connect participants with suitable mentors or mentees based on identified areas of growth and strength within the completed form.

3. Matching and Introduction: Following the application deadline, our Professional Development team will manually match mentors and mentees. Once matches are made, you will receive an email introduction to your mentoring partner.

4. Meeting Format: Mentors and mentees have the flexibility to meet either in person or online using platforms such as Zoom or Teams. During the initial meeting, it is expected that participants will discuss and agree upon the expectations and goals of their mentoring relationship. We would recommend meeting monthly and suggest committing to a minimum of six months working together. Guidance and forms have been provided to help facilitate the mentoring relationship and get you started.

Find out more and apply

Apply to be a mentor

Please click the button below and read the FAQs before applying.

Apply to be a mentee

Please click the button below and read the FAQs before applying.

Mentoring resources