The construction industry is steadily growing or evolving. Given that the industry is struggling with adequate laborers and an aging workforce, most construction companies or businesses are taking up mentorship programs.
With various innovations and increasing complexity, a mentorship program can be the borderline between success and stagnation. But why is this mentorship considered one of the keys to success, and how does it affect your construction career?
This article will take a closer look into the transformative role of mentorship in construction and how it influences your career development.
What are construction mentorship programs?
Before we expand on the mentorship programs, let’s quickly define the basics.
A mentor is vastly experienced. He/she advises guides, and helps the less experienced ones in order to build their knowledge in a particular field and make them competent at their job.
A mentee, on the other hand, seeks a clear understanding of a specific or stated field. He/she is expected to volunteer his/her time to build his/her knowledge in the field.
So, back to the question, “What are construction mentorship programs?”
Basically, construction mentorship programs or CMPs are training strategies that involve experienced professionals (mentors) passing on skills and knowledge to newcomers (mentees). The program provides mentees with guidance and advice to help mentees navigate the early days of their careers.
CMPs are also about transferring hard skills (such as blueprint understanding and contract management) and soft skills (such as leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills) from mentors to mentees.
But most importantly, these programs are designed to shape the future leaders of the industry. This is done by instilling a mindset of continuous learning, resilience, and ethical practices.
What are the benefits of construction mentoring programs?
Construction mentorship programs carry many benefits to the mentor, the mentee, the construction company, and the industry as a whole. All parties have a lot to gain from effective mentorship.
1. Mentees are taught various skills
As I mentioned in the previous section of this article, mentees are taught both hard and soft skills by their mentors during this program. Hard skills include understanding blueprints, schematics, and different ways to manage contracts in order to get the best result.
Soft skills include learning time management, proper planning, networking skills, and communication skills to help them liaise with clients. These skills are invaluable for career progression in the construction industry.
2. Mentors develop their leadership skills
While mentors impart wisdom to the mentees, they develop their own skills. Mentors find the best possible way to convey knowledge, advice, and guidelines to mentees. As they do this, they also improve their communication and leadership skills, which also help with their career progression.
3. Helps companies retain construction workers
The mentorship program helps companies identify and retain new talents in construction. As a result, these companies save money that can be spent on hiring and training new employees.
Combined with the fact that these mentees being recruited will be somewhat experienced, productivity will increase right away. This makes construction mentorship programs economically advantageous for companies.
4. The construction industry will continue to grow
With the help of this mentorship program in construction, newcomers will have adequate knowledge and be more competent in their jobs. Remember, in construction, incompetence, and inexperience can lead to accidents or costly mistakes that can affect the structure as a whole.
FAQs
What makes a construction mentorship program successful?
For a construction mentorship program to be successful, it hinges on some key elements: set goals, planning, and productive relationships.
Do all mentorship programs have to be face-to-face?
No, with the introduction of online classes and social media as a whole, mentorship programs can be carried out on various media platforms and not only face-to-face.
The future of construction mentorship
The construction mentorship program is more than just a learning tool. It is more like a compass to direct you through the intricate world of architecture. With enough knowledge to bridge the gap between a newcomer and a professional, helping you open doors to knowledge and opportunities you might not have imagined.
In conclusion, the construction mentorship program can potentially transform your career. Offering you a more profound knowledge of the construction world in general. Still confused? Have questions? Get in touch with us now.
Thanks for reading.