PROFESSIONALS, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) who
are interested in working in another industry can now get help from
mentors.
A new mentoring programme, set up by North East Community
Development Council (CDC) and Coca-Cola Singapore, will match PMETs
with successful individuals and role models.
They can seek advice on work-related issues, such as jobseeking
and office politics, through six meetings in a year. After the year
is up, the CDC and mentor will conduct a six-month evaluation of
the mentee, where they will observe the mentee's progress. Then, if
both parties are agreeable, the mentoring can continue
indefinitely.
The programme was launched yesterday, and will run for two
years. If successful, it will be extended.
A new batch of 15 PMETs will be picked every six months. They
must be able to make time for the meetings, and be willing to
learn.
The programme has recruited 15 PMETs and 18 mentors.
Five of the mentors are executives and managers from beverage
giant Coca-Cola, and the rest are the North East District's
councillors, some of whom are chief executives of hospitals and
university lecturers.
The idea was mooted by North East District's mayor, Mr Teo Ser
Luck, and Coca-Cola Pacific's director of sparkling beverage
portfolio, Mr Shakir Moin. They felt that people might be reluctant
to make career changes because they fear entering a different
sector, and wanted to counter this problem.
Mr Teo said: "The mentors might not be able to assist
technically, but they definitely can help to manage issues.''
The CDC sounded out PMETs seeking job aid, who welcomed the
idea.
Mr Mohammed Shahfiran Salim, 31, a former engineer who wishes to
go into human resource, said: "Joining a new sector is definitely
daunting. It'll be great to have a mentor. I'm very excited about
the programme."
His mentor, Mr Ori Sasson, a Singapore Management University
assistant professor in information systems, said: "This is a good
opportunity for me to help others, and I'm glad I can be part of
someone else's life."
Another mentor, Coca-Cola Pacific's marketing capability
manager, Ms Elizabeth Suwanto, said: "Mentoring is like
accompanying a friend on a journey, and I look forward to doing
that."