There’s a reason why 71% of Fortune 500 companies have mentoring programs. Mentors teach their protégés the tips and tricks of the trade they’d otherwise learn from experience.
Employees with mentors:
- Have a better chance of earning more money
- Have more opportunities
- Are better socialized than employees without a mentor.
For women and people of color in construction, these mentorships can make a world of difference. Construction managers and mentors also enjoy many benefits from these types of relationships.
Here’s why mentorship trainings in construction are so important:
Experience Matters
First-year construction workers account for 60% of the total number of injuries. Many of these injuries can be prevented when newcomers are paired with an experienced professional. Under a mentor’s guidance, mentees can learn ways to stay safe and keep a work site running smoothly.
It’s also crucial that construction mentors pass their wisdom down. Many construction managers, project managers, and others experienced in the trade are approaching retirement. Without first teaching the next generation how to get things done, construction sites could soon be inundated with inexperienced workers.
Makes Work Sites More Inclusive
New employees—especially women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and other minorities—can have a hard time fitting in. Not only do mentees form a bond with their mentors, they also have an easier time getting invited into a construction site’s employee culture. This helps them:
- Feel a sense of belonging
- Be stressed less often
- Feel more comfortable speaking up
- Be less distracted when safety measures are involved
Mentees Become Better Communicators
Mentors serve as role models for their mentees. They illustrate desired behaviors, and also how to communicate on a job site. As a result, mentees are able to learn the lingo of their work site.
They also have an easier time interacting with the other employees, which helps them construct a stronger, more productive team. This is particularly important when the mentee comes from a background that’s different then that of their peers.
Mentors Can Help with Career Obstacles
Everyone makes mistakes in their careers. Instead of learning some things the hard way, mentors can advise mentees on how to avoid making the mistakes they made in the past (or at least point them in the right direction). These mistakes can save them valuable time, and keep them from accidentally injuring themselves or one of their peers.
Mentors Get Benefits, Too!
A study of 1,000 employees revealed that mentors were promoted six times more often than other employees. Also, their retention rate was 23% higher than that of other employees: 72% compared to 49%.
Employee engagement is a key reason for why these numbers are so varied. Often, employees who are open to taking on mentees are seen as more dedicated. Also, teaching someone how to do your job makes you better at it, because you’re reminded of all the things you’ve learned and the experiences you’ve had along the way.
These are just five of the many reasons why mentorship training in construction is so valuable. To learn more, send us a message!