Knowledge is something we need to share. Mentoring & coaching are two very effective ways we can use to make sure knowledge gained is not lost. Over the years the senior members of The AgriChain Centre team have increasingly worked in this area. We run coaching and mentoring in group settings, as well as on an individual basis. Sometimes this involves a trip down the motorway to Pukekohe, to work with individual produce growers. We have also chaired mentoring sessions for business graduands in the UK. We have worked with onion and strawberry growers in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea and guided the establishment of the Samoa Koko Industry Association.
Knowledge management has undergone fundamental changes since the emergence of the Internet. Brick & mortar based institutions, such as Universities and Polytechnics, have realised they need to redefine who they are and what they do for mentoring the next generations. Prospective students and learners are being offered options these days that are both exciting and confusing, in their breadth, scope and density.
Online learning is no longer an exotic option for cyber nerds. Instead, it has become an increasingly mainstream pathway for learners to choose from. Established and respected institutions compete with innovative newcomers to offer learning opportunities fit for the 21st century. The life long learning concept has been accepted as the new norm. The gap between education regulators and the market place, however, persists and increases. Employers need a workforce that is equipped with the skill to deal with today’s rather than yesterday’s challenges.
Advances in technology generate further opportunities to share knowledge and offer mentoring services. Formal and structured programs continue to play a role, but more and more businesses are recognising the opportunities available from introducing targeted and more flexible learning experiences to their teams.
If you would like more information about how we can help you, please contact Dr Hans Maurer, on freephone 0800 24 74 24.
