Professional Registration Assessors & Mentors

Would you like to help others develop their careers by supporting their journey to professional registration?

There is a strong demand for ARA professional registration. Every year we see an increase in the number of applications and in the number of enquiries. This is driven by a competitive job market and increasing recognition of the importance of CPD and lifelong learning.

We have vacancies for members to volunteer as assessors and/or mentors. You will have complete control over how many applications you choose to assess, and how many candidates you choose to mentor; we will always fit around your availability and commitments. Do you want to give something back to the profession? Do you want to develop your assessment skills, as well as interpersonal and advisory skills, then this may be the role for you! We offer training and support whenever you need it.  To find out more please contact chris.sheridan@archives.org.uk.

Professional Registration Mentor

Mentoring offers valuable support to candidates looking to qualify as a Foundation or Registered member. As a mentor you support your mentee as they develop their application. You will offer an objective view on their chosen competencies and guide them as they develop their competency forms. You will encourage your mentee to reflect on what they have learned, how they have progressed, what they might do differently next time and how they might continue to improve. You might be called upon to use your own career experience to help your mentee develop areas of competence before they are ready to submit their application,

We encourage candidates for professional registration to identify their own mentor. So, if you’re interested in mentoring, one option is to offer your services at your place of work and through your own professional contacts.  Another is to join the ARA’s list of mentors. The list is sent to enrolling candidates who do not have a mentor in place. No prior experience is required to join the list, but we ask that you familiarise yourself with the ARA’s mentoring guide.

If you think mentoring might be for you please get in touch with Chris Sheridan, ARA’s Head of Professional Standards and Development to arrange an informal chat. He can be reached on chris.sheridan@archives.org.uk

Professional Registration Assessor

Professional Registration Assessor

We are also looking for professional registration assessors. Once an application for professional registration is submitted, assessors are responsible for evaluating the application, ensuring candidates meet the highest standards in knowledge and practice.

For more information on this role please get in touch with Chris Sheridan, ARA’s Head of Professional Standards and Development to arrange an informal chat. He can be reached on chris.sheridan@archives.org.uk

More about mentoring for the ARA professional registration

Guidance for Mentors

Mentoring provides valuable support to candidates looking to qualify as a Foundation or Registered member. Mentoring also supports the mentor with their own professional development, as effective mentoring develops and maintains an important range of skills and abilities.

The ARA’s mentor guide is essential reading for new and existing mentors, as well as those interested in becoming a mentor. We hope this article will inspire more members to become a mentor.

What is mentoring?

Mentoring is a relationship in which a more experienced or knowledgeable person helps guide the learning and development of a less experienced or knowledgeable person. As a mentor you support your mentee as they develop their application. You will offer an objective view on their chosen competencies and guide them as they develop their competency forms. You will encourage your mentee to reflect on what they have learned, how they have progressed, what they might do differently next time and how they might continue to improve. You might be called upon to use your own career experience to help your mentee develop areas of competence before they are ready to submit their application.

Mentoring is just one of the many vital voluntary roles that members undertake to support the work of the ARA. By becoming a mentor, you actively help shape the next generation of archive, records management and conservator professionals as they progress towards Foundation and Registered membership.

Getting started

Members enrolling onto the ARA’s professional development programme are encouraged to identify their own mentor. This can help them developing their own network by connecting with more experienced professionals. Candidates might approach a colleague who they know professionally, or via an ARA Nation, Region or Section. So, if you’re interested in mentoring, one option for would-be mentors is to make your interests known at your place of work and through your own professional contacts. We recommend that where possible candidates look beyond their own line manager.

For those keen to mentor but unable to find a mentee, you have the option of joining the ARA’s list of mentors. The list is sent to enrolling candidates who do not have a mentor in place. No prior experience is required to join the list, but we ask that you familiarise yourself with the ARA’s mentoring guide, competency framework and professional development programme.

The mentoring process

The first meeting is a key part of the mentoring relationship. Mentors and mentees do not need to be based in the same location, as mentoring can be provided via video call or phone – whatever you and your mentee to decide. The first meeting should discuss the outcomes of the mentee’s self-assessment using the competency framework. Their choice of competencies will determine the length and scope of any development required. “you might also want to discuss the role of mentoring, how often you want to meet, the best ways to communicate and levels of confidentiality” advises one ARA mentor. “Work and family commitments mean the planning of meetings in advance is vital.  We also find it useful to be very clear about your level of time commitment to the relationship from the start.” Once you have agreed a mentoring plan with your candidate, you both have an agreed way forward.

The benefits to you

Mentoring is also beneficial to the mentor as it offers you an opportunity to further develop your supervisory, motivational, advisory and problem solving skills. You’ll also gain new insights from your mentee, and learning of new initiatives and practices which help broaden your own perspectives. “The experience needs not be onerous at all, just so long as you remember that your role is to guide and oversee and not to undertake the work yourself!” advises Penny Hutchins RMARA. “Mentoring can definitely be a focus for your passion in the profession”.

For further information on becoming a mentor please contact chris.sheridan@archvies.org.uk.

The ARA’s Guidance for Mentors publication is available from the programme website.