MENTORING AN ARTICLING REGISTRANT

A mentor is a registrant of BCIA who is a Professional Agrologist (PAg), Technical Agrologist (TAg), or a retiree. The individual provides assistance and guidance to an articling registrant during their articling term.

The mentorship agreement must be submitted within two (2) months after the articling Registrant has been notified of acceptance into BCIA.

Mentors may claim 5 PD hours/year in their PD Report for each mentee.

The primary role of the mentor is to guide the mentee through the non-technical aspects of professionalism, such as:

• Provide an overview of BCIA's governance, mandate, and key functions to familiarize the new articling registrant with the Institute and its regulatory role.
• Introduce the new registrant to professional networks.
• Set an example as a registered professional.
• Review the Professional Governance Act (PGA), the Agrologists Regulation, BCIA's Bylaws, the Code of Ethics, Duty to Report, and any other relevant legislation, guidelines, or policies.
• Assist the articling registrant in identifying and undertaking professional development activities that may prove useful to the registrant in their Practice Areas.
• Discuss and review annual professional development (PD) reports, ensuring required minimums are met.
• Provide verification signatures in select areas within the articling checklist indicating engagement between parties.
• Provide a letter that includes a final recommendation regarding progression to fully active professional status.

Some considerations when establishing a mentoring relationship:

• Usually, both the mentor and the mentee can be from the same region, but it is not a requirement;
• Mandatory bi-annual meetings can be held in person or virtually; more frequent meetings are encouraged if possible;
• The mentee and the mentor do not need to have the same area of practice; priority should be placed on obtaining a mentor with whom the mentee feels comfortable with;
• Articling registrant's immediate supervisor can be a mentor if they wish; however, there must be no ethical conflict between the articling registrant's job description and professional ethics in the workplace;
• Success of the mentoring relationship is based on mutual trust between the two parties; there should be an open atmosphere to discuss ideas, problems, deficiencies, goals, and achievements

Tips for Mentors:

• Establish regular contact with the mentee
• Be open and polite, and direct but non-judgmental
• Do not expect to have all the answers
• Assist the mentee in networking
• Respect confidentiality
• Work closely with the mentee; good communication is crucial to success.

The Articling Program Guide for Mentors and Articling Coordinators, a companion document to the online Articling Journal, is an excellent resource for mentors and Articling Coordinators.

Download the Mentor/Mentee Talking Points guide to help facilitate discussions during the 2X yearly meetings.

PAgs and TAgs: Interested in becoming a mentor? Sign up to be a mentor by logging in to your BCIA account > profile > 'Mentorship' > check the box behind the edit button.

Articling Registrants: need assistance to find a mentor? Check the Mentor Directory! The link can also be found within the BCIA account under Profile > 'Mentorship'.