Concerned about an aging industry population and the need to connect with the next generation of fleet professionals, the Australasian Fleet Management Association (AfMA) has launched its inaugural Mentoring Program and is now accepting applications for interested mentors and mentees.

Augmenting AfMA’s Professional and Personal Development program, the mentoring initiative is designed support the professional and personal development of AfMA members as well as the industry at large.

The program’s development was prompted by a discussion between Paul Sor, national assets manager, Australian Red Cross, AfMA’s 2020 Fleet Manager of the Year and the Victorian Chair of AfMA’s State Chapter Committee, and Mace Hartley, AfMA executive director.

Paul and Mace agreed the need was not just to connect, but more importantly, to develop an opportunity for knowledge transfer. They also acknowledged many organizations only have one fleet manager who operates in a “tunnel without connection to peers.”

Sor suggested a mentoring program could assist with knowledge transfer “while connecting people across the industry, not just fleet managers but include suppliers and the entire eco system.”

Deb Bacon, AfMA Industry Learning & Development Specialist, worked with Sor and others to develop the program.

Devised as a formal relationship over a 10-month period – September 2022 to June 2023 – mentees and mentors will meet for a minimum of five mentoring sessions. The sessions can be face-to-face or via phone or a virtual platform. The mentee will schedule and organize the meetings.

Further details and mentor/mentee applications are available on the AfMA website. Deadline for applications is August 31. Chosen participants will be notified in early September.