Jamaica Institution of Engineers launches mentorship program for young professionals

The Jamaica Institution of Engineers (JIE) has launched a mentorship program aimed at helping young professionals establish their careers while strengthening the wider engineering sector.

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The pilot initiative, developed in partnership with the Professional Engineers Registration Board, was officially launched on Friday at the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) in Kingston. It targets aspiring and professional engineers, alumni, and industry partners.

So far, 35 mentors and 15 mentees are actively participating. JIE President Colin Porter said the programme aligns with the institution’s mandate to promote the advancement of engineering practice and science in Jamaica.

“This initiative is an important step in our mission to strengthen the profession, and to ensure that engineers, particularly those at the beginning of their careers, are supported, guided, and inspired as they progress towards becoming professional registered engineers in Jamaica,” Porter said.

He added that the mentorship effort will “improve the quality of applicants who are seeking professional registration, but ultimately ensure that the practice of engineering will be of the highest standard.”

The 12-month pilot will feature monthly mentor-mentee meetings, workshops, seminars, and networking events. Matches are based on discipline, career goals, experience level, location, and availability. The programme begins with an orientation session, followed by regular engagements, with a mid-programme evaluation at six months and a final review at the end of the year.

Participants will also receive a mentorship guide, access to online resources such as articles, videos, and templates, and ongoing support from programme coordinators. Confidentiality agreements, documentation protocols, and issue resolution mechanisms are also built into the structure.

Outcomes will be measured through key performance indicators, including participation rates, satisfaction levels, and goal achievement. Feedback will be collected via surveys, focus groups, one-on-one interviews, and data analysis.

The findings will help guide adjustments before a full-scale launch of the mentorship program.