MENTEE EXPRESSION OF INTEREST – 2025
(Commercial in Confidence)

Overview of Travel Industry Mentor Experience – TIME

The purpose and vision of TIME is:
“To provide knowledge, guidance and advice to aspiring individuals within the Travel, Tourism, Hospitality Cruise and Aviation industry allowing them to advance and grow their career.”

Targeting aspiring individuals who have one year or more experience in the travel, tourism, hospitality cruise and aviation industry, the aim of TIME is to offer development guidance, business skills and support sessions within a formal mentoring and peer collaboration environment.

Research tells us that the best employees are attracted to and stay within an industry, company or organisation that offers them career development.

By inviting the best and brightest to envision the work or job they would love to be doing and providing guidance, knowledge and expertise from an experienced mentor, TIME is instrumental in helping them achieve that advancement.

The TIME program has become embedded in the development plans of many of Australia’s largest travel companies and has successfully graduated over 375 mentees since 2009.

Who will benefit from being mentored?
TIME is open to all employees within the travel, tourism, hospitality, cruise and aviation industry and is recommended for people who:

• Are interested in further developing their management and leadership potential.
• Have recently been promoted and need to develop confidence and networking opportunities.
• Have moved into a new area of management.
• Need more strategic career planning.
• Would like to start or have started their own business or company.

Mentee Commitment
Mentees are expected to have most of the following characteristics:

• Respect for learning
• Prepared to accept responsibility for their own growth and development
• Willingness to participate and be challenged
• Prepared to bring issues and challenges for discussion
• Able to approach the relationship with respect and openness
• Are available and committed to attending the mentoring meetings, workshops and networking gatherings

The Program

The TIME program offers a one-to-one relationship based on encouragement, openness, mutual trust, respect and a willingness to learn and share.

One of the keys to successful mentoring is matching the mentee with a mentor who has the relevant skills and experience to meet the needs and objectives of the mentee.

To assist in this process, we ask that prospective mentees complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) form for review and approval by the TIME Board

Mentees are then matched with a suitable mentor, based on the criteria contained in these EOI Forms, (completed by both mentee and mentor), the mentee’s program objectives and the mentor’s skill set and experience.

Both mentee and mentor will be contacted to ensure they feel comfortable with their match. The Program Manager will be available throughout the program to assist both mentors and mentees.

Program Length and Inclusions:

• A 6-month program.
• 12 sessions/meetings of approximately 2 hours’ duration; (This is a compulsory requirement of the Program)
• Time and place of meeting to be mutually agreed by mentee and mentor.
  • Meetings can be held face to face, online, by telephone or email or hybrid version of all
• Networking evenings with guest speakers.

Induction Workshop and First Meeting (Approximately 2 hours)

The first meeting is an important meeting where mentors and mentees get to know the background of each other and discuss how best to work together.

A NICE analysis document, (Needs, Interests, Concerns, Expectations) asking the mentee to outline their strengths and weaknesses in various business and management skills, is given to the mentee to complete and return to the mentor prior to the first meeting. This will provide some or all of the framework to establish program objectives for the mentee.

Final Meeting and Graduation:

The final meeting, held before the Graduation ceremony, will review the objectives and achievements of the previous sessions.

The Graduation Evening provides congratulation and recognition for both mentees and mentors at the conclusion of their program through:

• 2–3-minute speech by each mentee.
• Presentation of program completion certificates.

Mentees’ Benefits:

• Increased skills and knowledge.
• Deeper understanding of culture, vision and values.
• A powerful learning tool to acquire leadership competencies and professional experience.
• Development of professional skills and self-confidence.
• Encourages different perspectives and attitudes to one’s work.
• A ‘sounding board’ and an opportunity to challenge thinking.
• Empowerment

The Role of the Mentee is to:

• Take responsibility for identifying and achieving your own development goals.
• Ask questions. You can never ask too many and if your mentor does not know the answers, he or she will know where to find them!
• Be open-minded. Take advantage of the opportunity to be exposed to new things, even if they are not your “thing”. Remember to share your interests with your mentor; your mentor wants to learn about you too.
• Develop goals with your mentor that you would like help in achieving during the program
• Receive graciously both positive and constructive feedback and implement as appropriate.
• Seek clarification on any points not understood.
• Use your mentor as both a resource for knowledge and sounding board for ideas and issues.

What can a Mentee Expect from a Mentor?

The role of the mentor is to provide guidance and to be a sounding board for you. Mentees are required to provide goals and objectives based upon topics they have identified as important to them and their business. The mentee creates a Mentoring Statement that outlines their goals and includes proposed strategies and timeframes for achieving these objectives.

The Role of the Mentor:

• Understand the skills that the mentee is required to learn during the program and offer support in learning these skills.
• Provide advice and perspective to the mentee and provide feedback on ideas and plans, often before they are considered for further development.
• Share wisdom and advice from the mentors’ experience, while allowing the mentee to have their own experience.
• Encourage and support mentees to complete the program and its activities.
• Hold the mentee accountable for achieving the goals that they set for the program
• Create opportunities that may not otherwise be available to the mentee e.g., increased visibility and access to networks.
• Encourage collaboration between mentees.
• Attend required meetings and meet commitments made to mentees.
• Offer suggestions to improve mentee’s skills, talents, abilities, initiative, and commitment in preparation for future endeavours.
• Offer challenging ideas that will inspire the mentee.
• Help build self-confidence through praise, encouragement, and constructive feedback.
• Suggest an ‘alternate’ mentor(s) for areas where the mentor is unable to add value or expertise.

The Role of the Mentor does not include:

• Involvement in the running of the mentee’s business or job role.
• Providing legal and tax advice
• Therapy or counselling on personal issues

Frequently Asked Questions:

Am I eligible to participate in the TIME Program?

The criteria for mentees to participate in the program are:

• Must be over the age of 18.
• Work full time in the Travel, Tourism, Hospitality, Cruise and Aviation Industry.
• Reside in Australia.
• Be able to meet the requirements of the program including mentoring sessions.
• Have been in the industry more than one year.

What about confidentiality?
Confidentiality is essential to enable the mentee to be open and ensure the kind of genuine relationship necessary for success. Both mentee and mentor sign Confidentiality Agreements prior to program commencement. Confidentiality ground rules are that nothing can be discussed outside the relationship without the other party’s agreement (aside from legal obligations). A code of practice for Mentoring will also be made available.

Will I be matched with a mentor in my city?
Whilst the committee will endeavour to match a mentee with a mentor in the same town or city it is not always possible due to the requirements of the mentee and the specific expertise of the relevant mentor. This will be discussed with each party prior to finalising the match.

What happens after the mentoring pairs are matched?
There will be a formal induction (per listed “Intake Dates”). This is preceded by an initial workshop and meeting with your mentor. It is expected that the mentor and mentee meet at least fortnightly for 2 hours to allow time to address issues in real depth. The formal conclusion of the relationship will be after 6 months. Informal extension of the relationship is up to both the mentee and mentor.

What if a mentoring relationship doesn’t work out?
To date, TIME has an exceptional track record in matching mentees and mentors, however, we do understand that not all relationships will necessarily be successful. If a mentor or mentee wishes to end the relationship prior to the formal conclusion of the program, the Program Manager will seek feedback to assist in reassignment where relevant.

What’s the difference between mentoring & coaching?
While coaching and mentoring share a range of techniques, mentoring provides career guidance and longer-term support, as opposed to the relatively short-term and performance-related purpose of coaching. They are synergistic and complementary.

What’s the role of a mentor versus a manager?
Mentoring is not intended to replace the role of the manager. Whilst the manager is responsible for setting work goals and ensuring they are achieved; the mentor focuses on overall career development support.

How much does it cost to participate?
The full fee for participating in the program for mentees is $2,000.00 plus GST. You should seek advice from your accountant as to whether this fee can be claimed as a tax deduction.

This fee is payable one month in advance of program commencement.

For mentees paying for the program personally, a monthly payment plan is available. (This is subject to the completion of a Payment Plan Agreement by the mentee and approval by the TIME Board).
Monthly Payment of the mentee fees can be made available against a Credit Card.
Monthly Payment Amount ($333.50 plus GST applicable and Credit Card Charges)

Graduation Ceremonies and Networking Evenings 2025

Graduation Ceremonies and Networking Evenings 2025

New mentees will be inducted into the program during the year and will graduate at one of the Graduation Ceremonies held during the year.

The number of Intakes held during the year will not be less than four, however will be determined by the demand of mentees.

TIME Conditions and Requirements

Networking Evenings

Except in the case of mitigating circumstances, that that are unavoidable. Mentees are expected to attend all Networking evenings.

Induction Workshop
All prospective Mentees must attend their Induction workshop prior to commencing on the Program

Airfares and Accommodation for Interstate Mentees
TIME will not cover the cost of travel for interstate mentees. Should travel be desired the cost of airfares and accommodation for interstate mentees will be borne by the mentee.

Expenses

Some out of pocket expenses will be incurred during the length of the program and these are to be borne by the mentor.

This section once completed will be sent to the TIME Email: time@travelindustrymentor.com.au

Please send separately a photo of yourself to the TIME email address as above

Privacy Statement

Any personal information provided to TIME is protected by the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988.   The information is essential to determine your eligibility for the TIME Program. TIME may disclose some of your personal information to a third party contractor who will monitor and deliver parts of the TIME program. The information may be used to send you communications about TIME-related activities such as newsletters, flyers and invitations.