The IOR network is an ideal place to support those new to the industry, whether at an early stage in their career or have just moved into RACHP from another sector. New members joining at Associate or Pre-Associate Grade are now able to gain one-to-one support from an existing IOR member to plan their career and professional development. 

The Membership Pathways Mentoring scheme is designed to help the new member to plan a route to progress from Associate or Pre-Associate to Member (MInstR).  It provides long term and regular support and will help the new member to extend their network of contacts within the IOR.  

Advantages

• The membership pathway will provide a clear route so that new applicants can plan, evidence and report on their career development which will allow them to progress from their current grade of membership to the next level.  
• It will provide an opportunity to work with an experienced IOR member acting as a pathway guide to develop a plan that will satisfy the criteria necessary to move to the next grade over time.

Pathway Guides

The experienced member, or mentor, will be able to give individual guidance on the pathway the new member will need to plan. They are familiar with IOR membership grading requirements and advancement procedures, as well as the IOR Engineering Council registration route.  They are highly experienced members - often Fellows of the IOR - who can help you to navigate the various professional development opportunities available from the IOR. 

Pathway Development Plan

The experienced member will help the new member to develop a personal Pathway Development Plan that focuses on the four key criteria for membership and identify what they need to do to demonstrate they have fulfilled the requirements for progression over a period of time - usually up to three years. It is something the new member can also share and discuss with their employer in order to complement any personal development plans used in their business to obtain the responsibility, experience and qualifications they need to progress within the IOR.

It will help plan out how they can engage in wider continued professional development experiences whether with the Institute or other industry-related activities and associations.

The plan should have defined goals and deadlines to monitor career progression. These will be tailored to the individual.

Examples of potential pathway plan contents:

• Responsibility – Explore opportunities within an individual’s current role to take on additional responsibility either on a temporary or long term basis. Examples may include running a project (external or internal to their business), managing trainees, a project team or responsibility for a sales target at regional or national level, running in-house or customer training,.
• Qualifications – Encouraging the individual to undertake a recognised industry qualification that will increase their knowledge of RACHP (e.g. short courses/NVQ/Degree). Industry related training courses and other forms of CPD should be considered in terms of demonstrating improvement in technical knowledge and should be documented.
• Experience – This is often related to amount of time spent in the industry and/or a particular role which needs to be recorded and evidenced. The applicant should be encouraged to become involved in different areas of their business outside of their current role and/or spending time in other departments. This will demonstrate wider industry experience. In some circumstances, it may mean setting a period for the individual to work in their current role to achieve the next grade.
• Involvement in the Institute and other industry related bodies – Supporting and encouraging the applicant to engage in industry related activities through the IOR (or other bodies). This may include attending meetings, conferences, events, writing magazine articles. By getting involved, the individual demonstrates their commitment to furthering the RACHP industry

Gaining Member Grade

Once the new member has sufficient evidence to demonstrate that they meet the responsibility and time requirements for Member grade, they will be encouraged to apply for advancement. Their evidence, together with their employer and pathway guide recommendations can be submitted to be evaluated independently by the IOR Membership Committee.

Why you should sign up

IOR Membership Pathways is a great way of meeting and working with an industry expert, over a long period of time. New members get the benefit of their knowledge and experience, and make valuable new contacts in the industry.  It will help all new Associate and Pre-Associate members to make the most of their membership and to evidence their increasing responsibilities and skills over time.

How you can get on board

The scheme is available to all new members elected to Associate or Pre-Associate grade.  The Membership Secretary will provide further details of how to sign up when your membership grade is confirmed.