The report makes a valuable contribution to understanding how the third year (2022-23) of the Mentor Training Programme supports the professional development of mentors and the Further Education and Training (FET) organisation’s mentoring practices and how it improves the mentoring experience and outcomes for both mentors and mentees.
This report builds on results from the previous two years’ evaluations which were focused on process, testing the efficiency of the Programme and informing how it should be delivered. This evaluation, given the maturity of the Programme, has given greater focus to identifying the outcomes and impact on mentors, mentees and their FE providers whilst also considering whether and how process changes resulting from previous year’s evaluation recommendations have improved delivery. The evaluation also identifies potential barriers to participation and benefits to both the individuals and institutions involved. This report furthers the understanding around the conditions needed by mentors and organisations for sustaining mentoring into the future.
A contribution analysis impact evaluation was employed, using a mixed methods approach that combined qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis. This included conducting surveys as well as running focus groups with mentors, mentees, HR Directors, Grant Leads and Teaching and Learning Assessment (TLA) Leads involved in the Programme.
The report presents the findings of the evaluation of the Mentoring Skills for New Mentors, the Advanced Skills for Experienced Mentors training programmes, and the Getting Ready to Mentor online course. The research was based on programme participant interviews and surveys, and analysis of programme management information. The survey was aimed at mentors on the programme and mentees (the beneficiaries) of the mentoring, and the interviews were conducted with mentors and grant leads. In addition, expert interviews were conducted with the Education and Training Foundation, Department for Education and the delivery partner’s staff who were delivering and managing the programme.
A logic model provided the framework for addressing the research questions and assessing how the programme inputs and activities generated outputs and outcomes that contribute to strengthening mentoring practice in the further education and training sector. A useful summary of the main findings are presented at the beginning of the report.
The report contains the findings of the review which consisted of a literature review, secondary analysis of data and interviews with providers of effective mentoring training and education. The characteristics of successful mentoring training programmes are presented and the impact the training had on mentors, mentees and FE providers is also explored.
The findings from this study have been applied to the design of the ETF’s mentoring professional development programmes.
A useful summary of the main findings are presented at the beginning of the report.
The review consisted of a systematic review of the international literature on the MPC role, a secondary analysis of existing data sets and a thematic analysis of critical summaries from the review and analysis.
A definition of the MPC role is presented before the main findings of the review. The final chapter offers some conclusions and recommendations for FE providers on how best to support mentoring coordinators in their organisation.
In 2020 the ETF commissioned the Institute of Employment Studies to undertake an evaluation of two of the mentor training programmes.The report presents the findings of the evaluation of the Mentoring Skills for New Mentors and the Advanced Skills for Experienced Mentors training programmes. The research consisted of two main data collection methods: interviews and surveys. The survey was aimed at mentors on the programme and the interviews were conducted with mentors, grant leads and mentees. In addition, expert interviews were conducted with six members of staff who were delivering and managing the programme.
The report looks at the impact the training had on participants, the practice of mentoring and the wider impact on organisations, staff, student and the sector. A useful summary of the main findings are presented at the beginning of the report.