All it takes to be a PIY mentor is a commitment to spend approximately two hours a week with your 'mentee' for the next twelve months.

What can mentors do?

• Listen
• Assist with goal setting
• Help students recognise their strengths
• Be a sounding board for ideas and problems
• Make contact with employers
• Suggest possible courses of action.

It’s all about team work.

To support you as a mentor, PIY has formed a partnership with TAFE, offering a short course in mentoring. The course is free to potential mentors and the skills you gain will be invaluable to you as a mentor and may even prove useful in other areas of your life.

Topics covered in the TAFE mentoring course include:

• conflict resolution
• effective listening
• mentor roles, rights and responsibilities
• employment and training opportunities
• confidentiality
• child protection legislation

For more information regarding the NSW TAFE course 'Mentoring in the Community' , contact Sue Souter, Manager, Community and Disability Programs, Access and General Education Curriculum Centre on 02 9846 8101.