Mentorship in Action

How Human Connections Power Career Success at Generation

Why Mentorship Matters

At Generation, mentorship is more than just a support tool – it is a pillar of transformation. Across our programmes, mentorship plays a critical role in empowering learners, especially those facing systemic barriers to employment. By building trust, offering personalised guidance, and fostering confidence, mentors help our learners unlock their potential.

Our data tells a clear story: 89% of learners globally are satisfied with the mentorship they receive, and 94% say it is critical to completing the programme. Whether it’s building self-esteem, navigating challenges, or securing the first job, mentorship remains one of the most effective interventions for learner success.

For this blogpost, we would like to showcase and celebrate the hundreds of mentors who work day in and day out with our learners across Europe! They really make a difference in the lives of our learners during the programme and of graduates post-graduation.

Who Are Our Mentors?

There is no effective mentorship without dedicated mentors and their commitment to excellence. Mentors at Generation wear many hats, and their diversity is one of our strengths. From coaches and soft skills trainers to industry professionals and peer supporters, each mentor brings a unique lens. This diversity allows us to tailor mentorship to fit individual learners’ needs in different contexts, sectors, and life circumstances. At Generation, mentorship is provided by one or more of the categories below:

• In-house staff who offer ongoing social and pastoral support as well as coaching during and after training;
• Freelancers and training service providers (TSPs) who offer expert skills and employability support;
• Volunteers from the professional world who generously donate their time and experience to guide learners.

This mix ensures that mentorship at Generation is not a one-size-fits-all model. It’s flexible, inclusive, and responsive, just like the people we serve.

Meet Our Mentors and Mentees – Stories from Across Europe

Behind every data point is a human connection. Across Europe, our mentors are building relationships that do more than support learners: they help them reimagine what’s possible.

Take Jennifer Wickham, our mentor in Ireland. Years ago, she was navigating a difficult chapter marked by early school leaving, homelessness, and low self-worth. A mentor once helped her rebuild her confidence and see her own value. Today, she’s paying that gift forward as a mentor herself. “Mentorship is about building rapport, respect and understanding,” she says. “My sole focus from day one is getting to know the person I work with. From then I point out people’s strengths and make them aware of what they do well and begin to help change mindsets”. In the end, Jennifer believes, “it’s not about giving people the answers, but about helping them identify their own answers and implement a plan around that.”

Our mentor in Ireland, Jennifer Wickham

That idea – that mentoring is about empowerment, not instruction – resonates across all our programmes. In Italy, Generation helped Mattia, a young man with Down syndrome, enter the workforce through an internship at Feltrinelli. With the support of Selene Battezzati, his mentor,  he learned how to interact with customers, manage tasks, and gain confidence in a retail environment. “Our mentor helped me a lot because we combined theory with practice, and I really appreciate the sessions on up-selling and cross-selling,” Mattia reflects. “Now, I enjoy interacting with customers and pricing products. This experience confirmed that I am someone who is capable of using a computer and being very precise.” His story is a testament to how mentorship, when done inclusively and respectfully, can unlock potential that might otherwise go unrecognised.

Mattia recounting his mentorship experience

In the UK, Kemi Adediran brings her personal experience into every mentoring session. “Entering the professional world was both exciting and daunting – I didn’t always see people who looked like me in the roles I aspired to,” she recalls. That memory has fuelled her commitment to helping vulnerable learners build not just skills, but self-belief. “Interview anxiety often stems from imposter syndrome,” she explains. “We don’t shy away from that – we talk openly about it, normalise it, then challenge it.” Kemi’s approach blends mindset coaching with practical strategies: learners practice presenting to friends or complete mini projects to build confidence over time. For her, mentorship is about long-term transformation. “The honest conversations, encouragement, and belief in their potential stay with them long after the programme ends: fuelling continued success.”

Our UK mentor Kemi Adediran addressing a group of learners

Céline Cöncz, a mentor in France, takes a similarly holistic approach. Working with young people entering the tech sector through our Objectif Métiers Tech programme, she sees mentorship not as an add-on but as central to learner transformation. “Self-confidence, autonomy, and a proactive mindset are crucial – both professionally and personally,” she says. Céline blends peer co-development, coaching, and motivational strategies to support her mentees beyond just technical skills. “The goal,” she explains, “is to mobilise the resources that empower mentees to overcome challenges.”

Céline during an “atelier” with mentees

That empowerment also means challenging societal perceptions, especially when mentoring adults who’ve been sidelined by ageism or unemployment. In Spain, Irene Gutiérrez supports mid-career learners preparing for green jobs. Many arrive feeling that their experience is a disadvantage in a fast-changing economy. Irene sees things differently. “As a mentor, my goal is to highlight the unique skills and competencies each individual brings – regardless of their age – and to emphasize that their experience is always an asset, never a liability.” Her mentorship style is deeply attentive and this is what also makes it rewarding, as it “creates a space to truly listen, understand their needs, and support them throughout their job search – responding to their concerns, providing tools to help them achieve their goals, and helping them feel empowered and responsible for their own achievements.” This is why, for Irene, the greatest success is that “together, we create a safe space where people can express themselves freely to help them take greater control over their path to employability.”

Our mentor in Spain, Irene Gutiérrez

Whether it’s lived experience, disability inclusion, youth empowerment, or age diversity, mentorship at Generation adapts to meet learners where they are, and helps them move forward. These stories remind us that mentorship isn’t transactional, but relational. And most of all, it’s about building trust and assuring people they are seen, valued, and capable. 

Mentorship as a Force for Change

Across Europe and beyond, mentorship at Generation helps build bridges between people and opportunity, between training and employment, and between aspiration and achievement.

The stories of Jenny, Mattia, Kemi, Céline, and Irene are not isolated. They echo broader themes seen throughout our mentorship work:

• Confidence-building: Mentors offer reassurance and practical advice that empower learners to take bold steps;
  
• Tailored support: Whether through adapted communication, job interview practice, or emotional guidance, mentorship meets learners where they are;
  
• Social inclusion: From refugee learners to people with disabilities, mentorship creates space for everyone to succeed;
  
• Sustained employability: Mentorship boosts not only programme completion but also retention and growth in the workplace.

At a time when economic mobility and inclusion are urgent priorities across Europe, mentorship offers a human-centred solution with scalable impact.

Join Us in Expanding Mentorship Opportunities for All

Generation’s vision for mentorship is grounded in dignity, respect, and shared progress. We are grateful to every mentor who has contributed to this vision across Europe.

As we look to the future, we invite employers, professional networks, mentorship organisations, and public institutions to collaborate with us. Together, we can expand mentorship opportunities for underserved populations and build a more inclusive labour market for all.

For more information about our mentorship provision, please also check our article Mentorship Matters: Key Learnings from Generation Europe.