INTRODUCTION

The ASAIB Executive Committee has decided to introduce a Mentorship Scheme in order to assist indexers gain confidence and competency in indexing.

MENTORSHIP SCHEME

The mentorship will not provide a course in indexing, but will build upon previous coursework done in indexing training by ASAIB. It will enable the novice to proceed in aspects of interest to the mentee, while being assisted to gain confidence and develop their professional skills. It is thus the supervised transfer of feedback and knowledge from the mentor to the mentee while acknowledging the mentees' fields of interest and competencies.

It will thus

• develop indexing skills
• provide guidelines in the preparation of professionally acceptable indexes
• assist  novice indexers to develop and gain confidence in their work.
• provide practice and stepped instruction to further develop the new indexer.
• be a process through which the new indexer gains information, and skills through an interactive process which builds confidence.

At the end of the mentorship, the novice indexers will have

• put into practice the indexing theory learned
• been given advice and guidance from experienced indexers in a one-on-one relationship
• developed their skills based on individual interests
• developed self-confidence
• become aware of client expectations and the importance of following client briefs
• had practice in checking their own indexes
• been encouraged to continually develop their indexing skills
• had their individual progress checked continuously
• had ten hours' guidance from the mentor.

Thereafter, if necessary, the mentee can request on-the-job assistance to monitor indexing skills in a work situation (with permission from the mentee's client).

No mentorship can be provided unless the prospective indexer has completed at least one of ASAIB's training courses in indexing.

COSTS

Admission essay and test index                 R200

(screening and assessment)

Mentorship Part 1 (5 hours)                        R750

Mentorship Part 2 (5 hours)                        R750

More details will be provided upon application to enter the mentorship scheme.