Theory into practice: the power of mentoring in skills development 

News

By identifying skills gaps and providing actionable solutions, training courses enable the workplace and facilities management (WFM) community to maximise their organisational value. But how do professionals make the most of their new skills and sustain an attitude of ongoing learning?  

Often the challenge lies in bridging the gap between the lesson and the workplace; this is where mentoring comes in. 

Gartner research indicates that professionals are significantly more likely to achieve their goals when they write them down (40%) and, even more so, when they share them with someone who holds them accountable, like a mentor (70%). 

A mentor acts as a sounding board and offers the encouragement to try new things, helping mentees analyse what's effective, what isn't and identify any gaps in understanding. 

A good mentor can provide extra context to training and apply it to various real-world situations. Most importantly, it's not a one-time communication; they offer continuous support, advice and guidance to aid long-term professional development. And, crucially, they provide accountability, ensuring a focus on targets and meaningful progress. 

Collaboration is vital in WFM. As a key benefit for members, IWFM Mentoring enhances professional confidence by giving mentees the guidance and encouragement they need to become more self-assured and future-ready. 

Taking a training course? You’ll receive a discount as an IWFM member and make sure you have a mentor in place to help you best implement your learning. Watch our webinar on IWFM Mentoring to learn more.  

Not a member or don’t hold the right type of membership? Get in touch to discuss where your skills sit on our professional pathway and which membership grade matches your industry experience, email [email protected].   

Discover IWFM’s range of training courses here (including a new suite of bitesize e-learning) and find out how you can make an impact as a WFM mentor or mentee here.