The Veterans SA Career and Business Mentoring Program is back in 2023 to connect members of the veteran community to leaders and professionals across the South Australian business community.
Following the success of the pilot in 2021, the Veterans SA Career and Business Mentoring Program will run again this year, starting in June and concluding in November.
Through the program, mentee participants are partnered with experienced South Australian business leaders who provide guidance and support as mentors to help them achieve success in their professional lives.
Participants in the 2021 pilot program experienced many positive outcomes including:
- gaining meaningful employment
- scholarship and grant successes
- expansion of professional networks
- increased confidence and improved understanding of self-worth.
The program will be facilitated by South Australian-based Strategy and Business Coach, Christine Molitor from Be Sustained.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted via the online application form.
Applications will close at 5.00 pm on 11 May 2023.
Please note that completing the application form does not guarantee a place in the program. Applications will be assessed and places are subject to mentor/mentee availability.
Key Dates
Applications are now open and will close at 5.00pm on 11 May 2023.
Successful participants will be notified of their acceptance into the program by 1 June 2023.
The program will formally commence on 15 June 2023 at an induction event and will conclude in November 2023.
Program streams
Two separate programs with different objectives and outcomes are being offered. Applicants for both mentee and mentor positions must select the stream they wish to participate in when submitting their application.
Career and Skills Development
Participants will have the opportunity to work with their mentor to set career and professional goals, whilst developing networking skills, their professional profile, interview techniques, presentation skills and more. The opportunity to expand their professional network and investigate career prospects through networking activities will also be provided.
Business and Entrepreneurship
Participants will determine their place in their entrepreneurship journey alongside their mentor, who will be able to provide advice and feedback on business models and plans, financing options, growing an existing business and more. This stream is suitable for anyone who is considering starting a business through to someone who has started their own business but wants to take it to the next level.
Eligibility criteria
To apply as a mentee, participants must be a:
- ADF member, currently transitioning
- former ADF member
- reservist
- partner of current or former ADF member.
Applications to be a mentor are invited from anyone across the South Australian business community who is keen to share their knowledge and expertise to support participants to unlock their full potential.
All mentor/mentee participants must be located in South Australia.
Hear from some of our past participants
Dave & Matt
Liz & Sharon
What to expect
The program will officially commence on 15 June 2023 at an induction event for both programs. It is mandatory that all mentors and mentees attend as this is where they will be introduced to their partners and an outline of the program will be provided.
Mentors and mentees will then meet every month, by the most suitable means available to them e.g., face to face, online or via phone.
Over the duration of the program there will be several check-in points and professional development and networking events offered.
Participants will also be required to participate in an evaluation process throughout and at the conclusion of the program. This will inform lessons learned and gains made for participants, as well as the development of future programs.
More information
Read the Veterans SA Career & Business Mentoring Program FAQS below.
Learn more about the 2021 pilot program.
Please send queries to VeteransSA@sa.gov.au
Frequently Asked Questions
Ideally you will align more with one program than the other.
If you are applying to be a mentee, please think about your primary goal for the program, and register for only that program. The details you provide in your application will help us to understand what your expectations are. If we have any questions, we will get in touch.
If you are applying to be mentor, please think about what you have to offer as a mentor (e.g. where do your strengths lie and where you would get the most enjoyment from in mentoring someone – careers and skills or business and entrepreneurship). If you strongly feel you could cover both programs, then we encourage you to fill out both applications. We cannot guarantee a sufficient pool of mentees, but we will note your offer to mentor on either program. If we have any questions, we will get in touch.
Mentoring is a relationship-driven process that involves sharing knowledge and skills to guide and inspire the development of another person.
That development may be specific, such as helping to support and build certain skills (i.e. communication skills or presentation confidence), or it may be to enhance the ability to manage an emerging situation (i.e. prepare for a business event or to lead a new initiative in the workplace).
Mentoring can be immensely satisfying. Reflecting on and sharing your experience and knowledge to help another, seeing someone fulfill their potential, or overcome barriers can be incredibly rewarding. Mentors can also develop their own skills, such as their interpersonal and communication skills as a result of being a mentor.
Our experience is shaped by others in our lives. Having the opportunity to learn from others who have ‘walked the path’ before and who may also come from a background different to yours is a true gift. In a relaxed and confidential setting, you have the opportunity to learn and grow, overcome perceived barriers and develop your own capacity. This is a journey that’s made somewhat easier with another person beside you.
It is recommended that mentors and mentees meet monthly. The duration for each session should be 1 to 1.5 hours. Mentors and Mentees need to set their own schedules in cooperation with each other.
There is no limit to the number of places offered. However, there is an application process to assess eligibility and suitability for participation in the programs.
There is no financial cost to be involved in the program as a mentee or mentor. Mentors are generously giving their time to enable mentees to upskill and expand their experiences.
Mentors will come from a range of different industries, business segments and will have varied life experiences. They will also be located in both metro and regional South Australia and have different levels of management experience drawn from various professional disciplines.
All mentors and mentees are required to attend the induction session (launch) on 15 June 2023. A support pack will be emailed to all participants prior to the event.
The program facilitator will also touch base with all mentors and mentees at regular intervals during the program.
Matching will be conducted by the program facilitator together with the Director of Veterans SA.
The matching process will factor in the skills, experience and industry backgrounds of all applicants and attempt to match participants based on not only their applications but the value of diversity of experience and backgrounds in the mentor-mentee relationship, and the aspirations of each applicant.
Of course, it is not always possible to get everything from the one mentor. The more information you can provide us in your application, the more it will assist us in pairing you with the most suitable candidate.
If you apply to be a mentor and are not selected, we will notify you. It may be that we are oversubscribed for mentors or that we do not assess there is a suitable match for you.
If you apply as a mentee, it is our goal to match you with a mentor. If we have queries about your suitability for one of the Programs, we will discuss this with you.
