The word ‘mentor’ comes from the Greek myth in which the legendary king Odysseus went off to fight in the Trojan Wars, entrusting the care of his son to a friend called Mentor. The word actually means ‘enduring’ and is usually used to describe a sustained relationship between an experienced person and someone who is in the initial stages of their development. The word has become synonymous with the idea of a trusted adviser – a friend, teacher, or wise person. The Oxford English Dictionary defines a mentor as an ‘experienced and trusted adviser’.
Mentoring is one of a number of types of support for apprentices in the workplace. What they all have in common is the apprentice (mentee) is at the centre. It is the mentor’s responsibility to be aware of the boundaries of the role and make sure this is understood by the apprentice.
