Women in BIM is unlocking the collective power of its community to bring new knowledge, new skills and new confidence into the industry with its Mentor Scheme
The search for new Women in BIM mentors and mentees has begun. Now in its fifth year, the Women in BIM Mentor Scheme is live and aims to support WIB members and digital construction professionals across the digital built environment by encouraging the exchange of knowledge and skills.
With the launch of the 2024 Mentoring Scheme, Women in BIM (WIB) will provide the structures needed to lead more people into the exciting and growing world of BIM, helping them reach the roles they have set their sights on and watch them succeed.
WIB founder and global chair, Rebecca De Cicco commented: “Being a part of the Women in BIM Mentor Scheme can be truly rewarding for those taking part. One of the things that impresses me the most is the support our members have for each other and their generosity with their encouragement, resources and time.
Creating a more diverse construction industry
“The Mentor Scheme is an important initiative for Women in BIM because it aligns with our ambitions of growing a more diverse construction industry fuelled by innovation and technology.
We support key objectives for women (in particular) in addressing the issue of retainment, including promoting women in their respective roles and allowing them to be more visible across our market.
“Nurturing and supporting women in these roles is an important driver for us. This scheme is intended to help us to not only support our growing global database of members but to also connect and inspire people by allowing their skills to be developed and supported through this scheme and the brilliant mentors that enable it to happen.”
Through the Mentor Scheme, WIB is unlocking the collective power of its community to bring new knowledge, new skills and new confidence to into the industry.
Rebecca added: “With the many challenges we are facing now and in the next few years to come, I believe it is more important than ever that communities can come together to talk, plan and create the changes they want to see to create a future that is fair, sustainable and works for everyone. By giving our members new skills and new confidence, we are working towards futureproofing digital construction.
The WIB Mentor Scheme team, headed by Natalia Oliveria, is building upon the experience of previous years’ schemes, which have helped thousands of people take action to achieve personal and professional goals.
Natalia said: “We understand that it can often be hard to know where to start and what to do, which is why we connect our mentees with experienced mentors who are industry leaders, many of which have also been WIB mentees over the past four years and know what words of encouragement are needed. These are people who have already done similar projects and are happy to share their knowledge and skills to help others make the changes they want to see.
“However, mentoring is more than simply giving advice or passing on what your experience was in a particular area or situation. It is about motivating and empowering the other person to identify their own ambitions and goals and helping them to find ways of reaching them.”
Applications for the Women in BIM Mentor Scheme
Application for both new mentors and mentees is a simple application process through a short form to provide contact details, experience and why you wish to be part of the scheme. With questions such as: “What are you hoping to achieve from being a mentor/mentee as part of the WIB Mentor Scheme?”
Natalia added: “For many of our past cohorts, they have wanted support in increasing their confidence as well as knowledge. The scheme has empowered so many people to have the courage to take action and fulfil career goals that they were previously nervous about.”
Once all applications have been received, interviews take place for all applicants to ensure the WIB team understands their needs, experience and motivations. The team then establishes the most appropriate matches.
After matches have been made (in 2024, there were over 300 matches), the Mentor Scheme is designed to run for six sessions over a six- to nine-month period. Each mentor/mentee match is given a Handbook with guidance for leading and facilitating the sessions and action planning.
Anything discussed within the Mentor Scheme sessions will be under the strictest confidence and will not be shared beyond the session.
Would you like to be part of the WIB Mentor Scheme 2024? Applications are open now.
Rebecca De Cicco
Founder and global chair
Women in BIM
