The Effective Mentoring Program (EMP) is designed to enhance the mentoring knowledge and skills of experienced teachers so they can support graduate and returning teachers to achieve full registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT), and act as the VIT-trained mentor on workplace recommendations panels (PDF, 1.34MB)(opens in a new window).
The program is delivered as a partnership between the Department of Education (DE) and the VIT.
Availability
The program is designed for experienced teachers who are mentoring provisionally registered teachers (PRTs) in:
- government, Catholic and independent schools
- all early childhood settings
- non-school education (P-12) settings (e.g. hospitals and zoos).
The EMP seminars will be delivered face-to-face in 2025, with a limited number of online seminars available to participants who are unable to access a face-to-face seminar.
To successfully complete the EMP and achieve certification to be a VIT trained mentor on the workplace recommendation panels, participants are required to attend day 1 and day 2 of the program and complete the pre and post online modules.
Experienced mentor teachers who have completed the EMP are eligible to attend EMP Refresher 1 day program to update their knowledge and skills.
Experienced mentor teachers who have completed the EMP are eligible to attend EMP Refresher 1 day program to update their knowledge and skills.
The program is offered at no cost to schools or participants.
Apply for the program
Registrations are now open for 2025.
Information on locations, dates and registrations for the face-to-face program:
Limited virtual seminar dates are available in 2025 for those unable to attend a face-to-face session. Please contact EMP@camb-ed.com.au(opens in a new window) for further information on completing the online program.
Skills developed
Participants will strengthen their mentoring skills to support PRTs through ongoing professional learning embedded in day-to-day practice. This will build the professional practice of the PRT.
Mentoring practices and skills are explored in the context of guiding and supporting PRTs, from provisional through to full VIT registration.
Program activities enable participants to explore mentoring with practiced examples and key readings to develop their skills.
Program overview
The program will:
Day one
- identify the purpose and benefits of mentoring, and discuss how to build a strong mentoring culture
- develop mentoring skills focused on teacher professional growth
- unpack the role of regulation and the standards in teacher development
- identify indicators that PRTs are ready for full registration
- walk through the VIT registration process
Day two
- build practical mentoring knowledge and skills
- understand the role of mentoring in developing leadership capacity
- explore professional responsibilities and professional expectations, including how to discuss this with PRTs
- unpack guidance materials and case studies.
Time is allowed for reflective conversations with other mentors to share and extend ideas and understandings.
Refresher course
The EMP Refresher will:
- strengthen experienced mentors’ understanding of the purpose and benefits of mentoring
- develop mentoring skills focused on teacher professional growth, including how to build a mentoring culture
- unpack the role of regulation and the standards in teacher development
- share the insights and experiences of established VIT mentors, and discuss updates to the application process and teacher readiness
- delve more deeply into the role of mentoring in developing leadership capacity.
Mentor’s Self-assessment Tool
The Mentor’s Self-Assessment Tool (MSAT) has been developed for participants of the EMP. The MSAT will identify participants’ knowledge and understanding of mentoring, and support reflection on growth throughout the program.
Participants will complete the MSAT at the commencement and completion of the Effective Mentoring Program.
Mentoring capability framework
A key component of the EMP is the Mentoring Capability Framework (MCF), which provides a comprehensive guide to mentoring new teachers in Victorian government schools and other educational settings.
The purpose of the MCF is to create coherent and consistent mentoring experiences. It describes the expectations and behaviours of mentors and mentees in successful professional learning relationships in six domains.
Recognising that relationships require time and other structural supports to flourish, the MCF also sets out the common elements of a school culture in which learning with and from colleagues is everyone's responsibility.
School leaders value their mentors and share how they are employed.
More information
For further information about the effective mentoring program and the requirements for provisionally registered teachers to become fully registered, visit the Victorian Institute of Teaching website.(opens in a new window)
For more information for Early Childhood educators, visit Mentor training for experienced early childhood teachers(opens in a new window).
For guidance, tools and training for mentors to support the induction of new teachers, visit Induction portal for new and beginning teachers(opens in a new window).
EMP fact sheet and frequently asked questions (PDF, 277.2KB)(opens in a new window).
Updated