As we head into 2016, the mentor program begins its 5th year. In the past five years, a lot has happened. We have grown into a program that many are not only talking about, but are also actively participating as well. Members of Local 3 are stepping up, helping out, and getting involved within the mentoring program. The mentoring committee has grown in parallel to the number of apprentices.
This improvement is evident on any given pairing night. When we have apprentices who come in and share their experiences, we discover what their mentor means to them, and how being an active participant in the mentoring program has benefited them. This aspect of the program gives new incoming apprentices an idea what to expect from their mentors, the value of having a mentor, and assures them that having a mentor is both a positive and rewarding experience. It also serves as a rewarding way for the Local 3 Mentor Program Committee members to see first-hand the results of their hard work and effort by hearing from apprentices who have benefitted from the program.
Another sign that the program is a growing success is we have more volunteers helping out with the committee. 24 members of the committee who work on getting the mentors paired up with their apprentices, scheduling the pairing nights, following up with phone calls, addressing any outstanding issues. Just this past class we had 12 teams of 3 to pair the last group of apprentices who came in and our work is not done. We will begin working on the next 175 new apprentices in the next month.
We recently began a Club Liaison committee in which each club has a member act as a liaison between the club and the mentoring program. Their jobs will include recruitment of new mentors from club meetings, report on any upcoming events the mentor program will be having and bring any issues that may be in need of addressing back to the mentoring committee so that we can better address any issues that may exist.
Out Local 3 clubs have also stepped up. Every pairing the room is filled with Local 3 club members stepping up to be mentors. There is not a club that is not represented when it comes to the mentoring program. Not only do they represent but they have also contributed to the success of getting apprentices active in their union by extending tickets to apprentices free of charge so that they can attend the Local 3 functions. The mentor program has become a STUBHUB so to speak for apprentices. If they email mentor@local3ibew.org and ask for a ticket for any event that Local 3 is having we do our best to reach out to the club and get a ticket for the apprentice. We will be sending 17 apprentices and mentors to The Golden Gloves Boxing night thanks in part to the New York City Division who purchased them for the mentoring program. The Brooklyn Club is looking to get a mentor vs. apprentice’s softball game day going this spring; the Sportsman’s Club has a barbeque in June for the mentors and apprentices.
One of the most important things however that the mentoring program is doing is we are training each and every apprentice in the Code of Excellence. So not only are we giving them a mentor to help them succeed but we are also giving them the blueprints to make the industry a success. There will come a time in Local 3 that every member in the “A” division will have been trained in the Code of Excellence The successes that we are beginning to build on today will be the successful future of Local 3 for years to come.
If you are interested in being part of the mentoring committee you can contact us at mentor@local3ibew.org. Many hands have always made light work. If you are looking to become a mentor you can go onto the Local 3 website at www.local3.com and click on the Mentor Sign Up Icon. We can always use mentors and help so if you want to help out or join our growing success just let us know. We will be more than happy to have you.
Step Up!!
Become A Mentor
If you are interested in becoming a mentor you can go to the Local 3 website and click on the mentor sign-up icon on the lower left hand side. You can also sign-up from the Local 3, IBEW app from the ‘get involved’ section of the app. If you have any questions, or concerns you can contact us at mentor@local3ibew.org or Tom Haran at 718-591-4000 ext. 408.
