AWA set to open registrations for new National Mentoring Program in November

The Australian Water Association is set to open registrations for the new National Mentoring Program on 25 November, with the exciting new digitally enabled, long-distance mentoring pairings to embark in the new year.  
 

To celebrate National Water Week and showcase some of the benefits of water community mentoring across states and territories, Source caught up with an AWA Mentoring Program pairing that was facilitated long-distance across boarders – from Perth to Alice Springs. 
 
“The pairing between Andrew and Skye is an excellent example of the flexibility and connection that the new National Mentoring Program will enable,” AWA National Mentoring Program Manager Carlie Sargent said. 
 
“The program is designed to connect people regardless of geographic location and career stage with experienced mentors. 
 
“The National Mentoring Program is aligned with the Association’s dedication to supporting water professionals throughout their career journey, and we cannot wait to launch this fantastic new offering to our members.” 
 
Curious about getting involved? Submit an expression of interest to let the Association know you’d like more information about how to join up. 
 
Anyone within the water community can participate in the program once they’ve signed up as an Australian Water Association member or have been appointed as a corporate nominated member. The program will be facilitated via the world-leading PushFar platform, providing cutting-edge mentoring software for participants. 
 
Want to know more about the kind of mentoring partnerships the Association’s mentoring program facilitates? Meet Andrew and Skye.

Andrew Bath, Water Quality and Public Health Consultant

My role in the water sector has primarily been around water quality. I’ve also worked as a consultant earlier in my career at a civil engineering firm before joining Water Corporation. Over the years, I've been involved in a range of projects, from desalination to working with Aboriginal communities. Additionally, I supervise PhDs, so I get to mentor and work with a lot of people outside my usual work. 
 
Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to work with people who, while not formally mentors, provided invaluable guidance and inspiration. Joining the AWA Mentoring Program was a way for me to give back, as I gained so much from being mentored. I also find it rewarding to work with others and share my experiences. It’s a two-way street – you give, but you also learn and receive a lot in return. 
 
Mentoring can sound formal, but it's really about having open discussions. It’s a great opportunity to learn from others, and it’s worth the time and effort. For instance, Skye and I have overlapping work areas, so it's been beneficial on both sides. 
 
My working relationship with Skye has matured a lot. Initially, we were a bit apprehensive since we’re in different states, but we quickly realised how much overlap we had in our work. Sharing experiences, challenges and successes, particularly around working in Aboriginal communities, has been very rewarding.

Skye Haigh, Practice Lead – Remote Development, Ekistica

I’m based in Alice Springs and do a lot of work in regional and remote areas. My background is in environmental engineering, and my role involves a higher-level focus on supply and servicing in Aboriginal and remote communities, not just for water but also energy, community infrastructure and other similar services. 
   
As Andrew mentioned, mentoring partnerships are about knowledge sharing. As an emerging professional in the water sector, I was eager to learn from people who had been in similar situations. 
   
You get out what you put in. The clearer you are about what you’re looking for in a mentoring relationship, the more beneficial it will be. Andrew and I were paired after a speed mentoring event, and I remember thinking I wanted to work with him based on that interaction. Putting effort into the early stages helps match you with the right mentor or mentee. 
   
Our relationship has evolved. I’ve already asked for Andrew’s advice on a few occasions, and I expect that will continue. We’ve tried to catch up in person, when possible, but mostly, our interactions have been online, which works well. 
   
Learn more about the new National Mentoring Program here.