Apprentices' Mentoring Relationships: The Role of "Significant Others" and Supportive Relationships across the Work-Life Domains.

Abstract

A study of 106 male apprentices working in the building and construction industry examined the occurrence of mentoring relationships. The results indicate that apprentices identify a range of mentors in their lives, predominantly in their personal lives, and that the majority of these relationships develop organically. In particular, apprentices value the psychosocial support that these mentoring relationships provide. Findings from the study support an expanded definition of mentoring to include significant others. Recommendations include encouraging the development of young working men's social networks as a key factor in promoting social support and increasing apprentice retention.