Maturing mentors

‘Mentoring can be critical in helping to retain institutional knowledge through strong relationships.’ The New Zealand Refining Company at Marsden Point recognises that older members of the workforce represent a valuable resource of knowledge and experience which could potentially be lost as these employees leave the company’s service.

The refinery’s Mentors’ Scheme aims to link younger employees in the company with the years of knowledge and experience held by its long-serving retiring employees. It offers retiring employees the opportunity to voluntarily play a role in developing the company’s current employees.

Refinery mentors provide mentoring, practical support and skills development to new and/or inexperienced employees, in technical areas where the passing on of practical knowledge and experience has the potential to add significant value and/or accelerate the development of essential skills.

Too few businesses have implemented practices to capture institutional knowledge or to transfer the knowledge of older workers to younger workers. It is assumed that ‘people pass things along’ but the amount of information that people personally hold is underestimated by most businesses. The rapidly ageing workforce requires that active retention of institutional knowledge is required to ensure business sustainability.

FACT: Retaining the skills and knowledge of older and retiring workers is critical as the working population ages in New Zealand.

Benefits of mentoring:
-  Helps both the mentor and the recipient recognise their abilities and limitations.
-  Motivates improved career development policies and practices.
-  Aids better communication skills and interaction between colleagues.

For further information contact:
Anna Meyer
NZ Refining Company
Port Marsden Highway
Ruakaka
Whangarei

Phone: +64 9 432 8311
Email: corporate@nzrc.co.nz