About the APA Mentoring Program
The APA Mentoring Program is an 8-month mentoring program. As a member-only benefit, participation is offered to eligible members at no additional cost. Applications for the 2026 program open on 3 February 2026, with the program commencing on 14 April 2026.
Throughout the program, mentors and mentees meet monthly, either in person or online. Mentees are responsible for scheduling these sessions, with both partners encouraged to come prepared and engaged.
All participants receive ongoing support, including practical tips, online learning and access to a curated library of mentoring resources.
What mentees do
- Meet monthly with their mentor.
- Attend the program launch webinar.
- New for 2026: participate in a dedicated goal setting workshop to refine and articulate their goals early in the program.
- Watch the mid-progress review video for mentees.
- Access additional online training to help them get the most out of the mentoring relationship.
- Complete three participant surveys at key intervals of the program.
What mentors do
- Meet monthly with their mentee.
- Attend two webinars: the program launch webinar and the progress review webinar for mentors.
- New for 2026: complete a mid-program online module designed to help them reflect on progress, manage dips in engagement and strengthen the mentoring relationship for a productive second half of the program. This pairs with the progress review webinar.
- Access additional online training to support their development as a mentor.
- Complete three participant surveys at key intervals of the program.
The benefits of the mentoring program
Mentors
“This is my third year as a mentor in the Art of Mentoring programme from the APA. As an almost retired but still practicing physiotherapist (age 78 now!) this programme has been a wonderful learning experience for me and I have had very good mentees each year” – Beverley Dalziel MACP
Practising and experienced physiotherapists have so much to offer emerging practitioners. With the right training, anyone can become a valuable and effective mentor. Being a mentor can also be a profoundly rewarding experience and an opportunity to learn, grow and invest in your professional development. Stepping up and choosing to become a mentor can make a difference in myriad ways, inclusive of being able to:
- shape the leaders of tomorrow
- exercise your emotional intelligence
- contribute back to the profession and make a difference to someone else
- enrich your leadership and interpersonal skills
- gain intellectual challenge and new perspective
- expand your professional network
- help to fulfil your CPD requirements
- feel GOOD!
Mentees
"I don't know how you matched up my mentor and me but it was remarkably accurate to what I needed and I benefited from it greatly, thank you!" – Caitlin Collenette APAM
By becoming a mentee, you can receive guidance for your personal and professional development in the physiotherapy profession from someone with a wealth of experience.
Key benefits of being a mentee may include:
- increased self-confidence and awareness
- an increased chance of promotion and job satisfaction
- an opportunity to explore issues and concerns in a confidential and supportive relationship
- learning from other physiotherapists experiences in a supportive environment
- development of communication and leadership skills
- improved goal setting
- a sense of connection with other physiotherapists.
Watch the video
Hear first hand about the benefits from two of our pilot program participants, mentee Jennifer Lohmus and mentor Dr Jennifer Jones as they share their experiences.
APA Mentoring Program is proudly sponsored by:
