4 mins read
How AHRI partnered with Art of Mentoring to deliver one of Australia’s largest and longest-running professional association mentoring programs, now attracting over 1,000 participants each year.
Participants 1000+ per year
Organisation Type Professional Association
Program Length 12 Months
Delivery National – Twice Yearly
Members Represented 20,000 across Australia
AHRI represents around 20,000 human resources and people management professionals across Australia. As a professional association, AHRI looks for ways to create meaningful connections between members and enable them to share knowledge and experiences.
HR professionals are often at the pointy end of workplace issues, involved in many aspects of organisational change. At the same time, the contribution of HR practitioners is sometimes under-valued by senior managers and peers.
AHRI wanted to support all members in their career and professional development, while also providing senior members with a meaningful way to give back to the profession.
It's about managing the relationships between mentors and mentees, helping them to develop sustainable relationships by providing support, tips and tools.
AHRI Mentoring Program
The mentoring program was initially launched regionally and around ten years ago was implemented nationally. The program now attracts more than 1,000 participants each year from across Australia, and a small number from other countries.
The 12-month program is offered twice a year and is open to any AHRI member. Mentors are experienced HR practitioner members. Both mentors and mentees receive CPD points for their participation.
Applications are hosted and managed centrally using the Art of Mentoring program management platform. The platform’s algorithm suggests suitable matches for mentors and mentees, which are then checked and ratified by a volunteer panel in each region. Mentors are matched with one or two mentees.
Each region hosts its own events where participants can meet, network and hear from guest speakers. Training and program orientation is conducted via webinars across all regions, alongside online training available on the platform.
AHRI uses a hybrid funding model — mentees pay a $150 participation fee and a national sponsor provides additional support. This gives mentees enough investment in the program to commit for its full duration, while sponsorship funding allows networking events to be offered nationally.
Program management and administration is centralised and resourced by AHRI staff, with regional volunteer panels assisting in the initial matching process and hosting local events.
Very few mentoring programs of this size run successfully and sustainably anywhere in the world. The growth results speak for themselves.
participants each year from across Australia
AHRI members represented across Australia
per year the program is offered, open to all AHRI members
years running nationally, continuing to grow year on year
Running a mentoring program at this scale requires constant refinement. Two key learnings have shaped how the program continues to evolve and improve.
Local Knowledge Improves Matching
Regional volunteer panels know the geography of their region, enabling them to check pairings and ensure a high likelihood of participants being able to meet face-to-face. They also know local businesses and industries, enabling more precise matching within particular sectors or specific interests.
Minimise Reliance on Volunteers
AHRI volunteer state councils are highly engaged and want to help make the program a success. However, the program is designed so that regional volunteers assist only in the initial matching process and host events, the rest is managed by AHRI team members to ensure consistency and quality.
Scalable Technology
Art of Mentoring’s platform manages applications, matching, communications and resources centrally, enabling a program of 1,000+ participants to run smoothly.
Program Longevity
Many mentees go on to become mentors in subsequent programs, creating a self-sustaining cycle of knowledge sharing within the HR profession.
Membership Value
The program is a highly valued AHRI membership benefit, helping attract and retain members by offering tangible career development opportunities.
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