The Career Start Canterbury Tech Mentor Programme runs from 3 July  – 11 September and is aimed at people entering the Canterbury tech workforce for the first time. Canterbury Tech wants to grow world-class talent for our local Tech Sector. Many successful people credit one or more mentors who made a big impact in helping them achieve early success.

Mentoring isn’t just useful for the mentee, it’s great for mentors too. Mentors will be challenged to stay at the top of their game to provide up-to-date advice.  Mentors are welcome to apply for both mentor programmes.

The 2019 Canterbury Tech Winter Mentor Programme (based around Roger Nesbitt’s Winter Mentor Programme) was a big success with 36 people taking part and overwhelmingly positive feedback.  This year we are expanding on that success by offering 2 programmes.

We are very grateful for the time and effort of our volunteer programme coordinators this year, Ian Wells and Kay Johnson.

ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

Programme 2 – Career Start Canterbury Tech Mentor Programme

• Applications open 10 June – 28 June 2020 (9 am)
• Meet and Greet Event – 30 June
• The programme runs from 3 July – 11 September 2020

The second Canterbury Tech Career-Start Mentor Programme for 2020 is to support people looking for their first tech job in Canterbury. Mentees need to have the necessary tech skills to work in the Canterbury technical sector.To apply as a mentee for the Career-start Programme, you could be a student at Uni or another tertiary college, you could be an international immigrant, someone emerging from a mid-career change, you could be a self-taught developer or a tech-literate professional wanting to transition more fully into the tech industry. We all know how hard it is to get that first job before you have experience and before you have a network of professional support.

To apply as a mentor you will need to have empathy for people finding their first job. For example, if you work in tech and are not a native New Zealander and have experience adapting to the NZ tech culture, we would love to have you.

This is a 12-week mentor matching programme, comprising six fortnightly mentoring sessions across the winter season, June to September. It is run by volunteers who commit to approximately two hours every two weeks including preparation for mentors and actions for the mentees.

The programme has spaces for matched pairs of up to 18 mentors and 18 mentees.  Mentors apply by obtaining a ticket here at no cost. Mentees can apply by buying a ticket here for $15 incl GST. We hope to place all applicants but if your mentee application is unsuccessful, we will give you a full refund. Participation in the Meet and Greet event on Tuesday 30 June is mandatory. 

Please note: This programme is NOT designed to find the mentee a job, the mentor is not acting as a recruiter, it is to give the mentee the professional advice based on experience to support them to find their job for themselves. Mentor notes will step you through the process.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications for the Programme 2 – Career Start Canterbury Tech Mentor Programme are now open.  A small refundable fee does apply to Mentee applicants. For more information go to our website or to apply click here.  Questions?  You can email us on MentorProgramme@canterburytech.nz