Kaleidoscope Mentoring Program

Would you like to have the guidance, encouragement and support of a trusted and experienced mentor who can provide you with a broad range of personal and professional benefits? Enrol to become a mentee.

The free Kaleidoscope Mentoring Program (KMP) is open to participants who have completed the five-day Workplace Readiness Training.

The 12-week mentoring program involves a one-on-one 90-minute weekly meeting (either online or virtual) between the mentor and mentee.

It is the mentor’s role to support mentees to improve their employment potential by matching them with mentors from their industry or occupation to guide and mentor them. It is not the role of the mentor to find the mentee a job.

Become a mentee

For mentees, some of the many key benefits of mentoring include:

• exposure to new ideas and ways of thinking
• advice on developing strengths and overcoming weaknesses
• guidance on professional development and advancement
• increased visibility and recognition within the professional network
• the opportunity to develop new skills and knowledge.

All mentees will also have access to our Mentoring Coordinator who will provide additional weekly support and resources.

Mentee eligibility

• can commit to the full 12-week one-on-one mentoring program
• are “job-ready” – this means you are ready to start a job in their field, in Australia, at any given time
• have limited (< 1 year) or no Australian work experience in your profession/industry
• are currently unemployed or underemployed (i.e. not working in your field of expertise)
• have full work rights in Australia.
• have lived in Australia for ten years or less.

Mentee readiness

To show your employment readiness, you will need to show that you have:

• job search skills: an Australian-standard updated resume, knowledge of interview skills and basic networking skills. These skills are included in the Workplace Readiness Training
• appropriate supports such as transportation or childcare required to start a suitable employment
• appropriate attitude: openness to receive constructive advice and willingness to try new approaches to job searching.

Become a mentor

Mentors are leaders. They give back to their professional communities. They coach others to achieve their full potential and work effectively with people from different backgrounds and experiences in today’s diverse workplace.

A KMP Mentor is a professional who provides support, industry related guidance and advice to a skilled newcomer to help them build professional networks, increase their knowledge of recruitment practices and have a better understanding of their profession locally to secure well-matched employment. It is not the responsibility of the mentor to find their mentee a job.

We continuously recruit mentors to match with mentees for each cycle. Our next cycle is scheduled to commence in September 2023. If you would like to be involved please contact kaleidoscope@redcross.org.au

Why should I become a mentor? 

As a valued mentor in our Kaleidoscope Mentoring Program (KMP), you have the opportunity to:

• share your knowledge about your industry/profession based on your own experiences
• help a newcomer in your field put their skills and experience to work for a Western Australian business or company
• motivate and support a skilled newcomer professional to realise their full potential in Australia.

In return, you will benefit from:

• developing your own mentoring, communication and leadership skills
• enhancing your cross-cultural competence by working with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
• improving your understanding of the issues and barriers experienced by newcomers in Australia
• connecting yourself to an untapped migrant resource.

Just 24 hours of your mentoring time over three months can change someone’s life for good.

Mentor eligibility

To participate as a mentor you must:

• have worked for at least two years in your field/profession/industry in Australia
• commit to a minimum of 24 hours of your time over three months for mentoring (18 hours of mentoring + 2 hour Mentor induction and training session, and attend the end of cycle events)
• want to share your industry knowledge and contacts with others
• be thinking about your professional legacy and what you will contribute toward your organisation and the people who work with you
• have a National Police Clearance Certificate issued within the last 6 months. 

Mentoring responsibilities

As a mentor, you need to:

• provide details on your professional background and other additional information in your application so that we can best match you with a mentee
• attend the KMP induction and training session, and end of cycle events.
• work with your mentee to determine their employment goals and set targets related to job searching, networking, professional development, etc.
• seek support from the mentoring coach, if needed, for a referral to resources, troubleshooting, etc.

You can help a skilled newcomer professional reconnect with their career!