OCPE - Mentoring & Building Workforce Capability

Mentoring takes place in many contexts and is conducted in a variety of ways. Its institutionalisation has occurred with the proliferation of mentoring programs sponsored in the workplace over the last few decades -- for example, in the Australian Public Service and university sector. As a result, its intent can often  be seen as similar to that of coaching: improving workplace performance, and therefore, productivity. But there is more to it than the benefits that flow on in the workplace or in career development. To generalise, performance enhancement is typically what a coach focuses upon; while traditionally, a mentor is someone who provides trusted, expert guidance within a specific field of activity. The Office of the Commissioner of Public Employment (OCPE) in the NT provides its take on the differences - giving emphasis to who leads the process: typically the mentee & the coach. Overall, the OCPE is focused on the role of mentoring in building workforce capability.