Mentoring Candidates

The first task of the mentor is to familiarise him/herself with the nature of standards acceptable to the Board as applied in the varied practical circumstances under which candidates will function. The Board will be relying heavily on the discretion and recommendations of the mentor. For this reason the mentor has access to the resources and advisors of the Board.


The areas in which minimum standards must be reached, are:

Professionalism which includes·

• a reasonable command of the specified body of knowledge in categories of competence;
• objectivity;
• personal integrity and ethical behaviour according to the SABPP code of conduct;
• credibility as a future practitioner;
• the ability to achieve professional standards of performance;·
• a commitment towards being of service in the domain of human resource practice.

The mentor will need to interact with the candidate and observe him/her in the work situation in interaction with colleagues to establish whether the above professional standards are met.



This implies the proven ability to deliver effective and functional results in some or all of the competency areas mentioned under categories of competence.The mentor will need to inspect completed output to assess the above.


The mentor should bear in mind that even though consultation is a necessary ingredient of professional work, an adequate standard of independent functioning, judgment and confidence should be displayed. This includes:· independent observation and personal opinion· the ability to think innovatively· self-motivation· the ability to analyse a situation or problem· the ability to devise satisfactory solutions· sound judgment

From the above it is clear that regular and meaningful contact should be established with the candidate. No rigid rules are laid down by the Board, and the mentor's judgment will be relied upon in this respect.


Twice yearly reports detailing areas covered will be required:

• The mentor will evaluate and report on the application of theoretical knowledge in practice and assess individual shortcomings and weaknesses of a candidate.
• The mentor must determine eligibility of the candidate for either Generalist or Specialist (indicate category) registration.
• The mentor is not a coach and is merely expected to advise the candidate regarding requirements and areas of weakness.
• The mentor can, where necessary, make use of help from other specialists, but he remains responsible for the report.
• The duration of a candidateship is two years. See also the next point, as well as the 2nd item under General Administrative Procedures
• At the conclusion of the Candidateship the mentor can, at his discretion, make one of the following recommendations regarding the candidate:·

• • That the candidateship has been adequately completed and that registration should take place at the Board's discretion;·
  • That candidateship be continued beyond the stipulated 2 years until levels of professionalism, work results and independence are satisfactory;·
  • That the Board arrange an independent professional interview in the event that the mentor would like the benefit of a second opinion.

The application for mentorship must be returned to and approved by the Board before commencement of candidateship.

At the commencement of every candidateship the mentor may recommend that:

• relevant and proven human resource experience be credited towards the candidateship, thus reducing the two year period;
• earlier admission to candidateship than the second study year, based on the level of maturity and practical experience of a candidate, be granted.

A mentor may supervise a maximum of three candidates, but may apply to the Board to take on the responsibility of more candidates.

Where the mentor is not employed by the Company of candidate, he/she should endeavour to communicate with the employer or a suitable representative regarding the candidate's progress.

If the mentor selected by the candidate is not registered with the SABPP, application for registration can be made in the normal way. The candidate porgramme cannot commence before such registration has been completed and the Mentor has been formally approved by the Board.