The MPD Scheme

The mentor will explain the MPDS Scheme and its requirements, and define and discuss the mutual expectations, the commitments and roles of the organisation, line managers, the mentor and the Developing Engineer.

While outlining the MPD Scheme, the mentor should describe how the business will be used as a training vehicle, and define contact and access arrangements.

The mentor will introduce the organisation training plan and translate it into a personal programme, taking account of any previous training or relevant experience as well as the Developing Engineer’s aptitudes, abilities and stage of development.

On registration, the mentor will complete and sign the relevant section of the MPDS registration form to allow credit for any previous training or experience.

The mentor and the Developing Engineer will agree objectives for the first quarter and the assessment methods to be used. The mentor will, if necessary, introduce key people and arrange the induction for first placement or project.

Below are the stages which every mentor and Developing Engineer (DE) needs to go through in order to complete MPDS fully.

Register
Meet
Record
Report
Assess and Feedback
Monitor

The company registers scheme with IMechE.
The Developing Engineer registers on MPDS
The Mentor registers on MPDS. 
DE and Mentor create online access to e-MPDS.

Meet

Arrangements should be made for an initial meeting with the DE before or during registration, to discuss the scheme in general, organise a plan for development and arrange how monitoring and feedback will be conducted.

The mentor should use the first interview to introduce the concept of Initial Professional Development (IPD).

The DE and mentor should meet at least once a quarter, so that the mentor can offer guidance, support and feedback.

Record

The DE can create a plan on e-MPDS at the beginning of each quarter (optional). This provides clear direction and objectives. The mentor approves this plan.

Evidence of projects and development can be recorded on e-MPDS (optional).

The DE must record their experience at least once a quarter, as a synopsis of their development.

The DE then has to write a report at the end of each quarter, detailing their experience and professional development.

Report

Graduates report online using e-MPDS, assessed via the IMechE website, using UK-SPEC.

Undergraduate students use downloadable paper reports which are assessed via Training Objectives unless the company they are placed with has requested their access to e-MPDS.

At the end of each quarter, the DE writes a Quarterly Report, detailing the experiences and professional development gained during that time.

Feedback is provided by the mentor and is written as part of the Quarterly Report. This documentary evidence of feedback and monitoring is part of the QA requirements of the Engineering Council (UK).

Assess and Feedback

The DE must complete an Annual Assessment Report at the end of the fourth quarter. They should provide examples of how they have met every core competence.

The mentor will then score a competence level for each area, provide feedback and complete the section on achievements and expected developments over the forthcoming year.

The mentor also has the option to assess competence levels against evidence submissions.

Verbal feedback is essential for the DE to understand how they are progressing and which areas they need to focus on for further development. Written feedback acts as documentary evidence of this essential requirement.

Monitor

Regular contact with the engineer you are mentoring will help you keep track of their progress, and allow you to identify improvements, achievements, and areas that need extra attention.

e-MPDS records the date of approval as the submission date of a report. Reports must be approved regularly and within timescales to provide documentary evidence that the engineer’s development programme has been monitored, and therefore meets QA requirements of the EC(UK).

Mentor Duties

Be aware of your and the DE’s requirements – UK-SPEC, reporting, etc.

Support your DE and ensure that adequate opportunities for development are provided.

Encourage timely submission and approve all reports online no more than eight weeks after the assessment due date.

Ensure the DE develops a clear understanding of UK-SPEC.

Advise the DE on all aspects of development, reporting and professional registration.

Keep IMechE informed of any changes, eg.  if you recommend that the DE should remain on the scheme for longer than four years.

MPDS Quarterly Reports and Reviews

MPDS Quarterly Reports should be completed regularly and on time, and the mentor must approve them with comments and suggestions for improvement. Results should be compared with the objectives agreed at the beginning of the three-month period, and comments noted before the next phase of development progresses.

The setting of objectives and the assessment of competences should ensure that the DE’s motivation will be maintained. Assessment should cover assignment objectives and performance, as well as personal objectives and execution of these.

The mentor will review the previous quarter's objectives and whether or not they were met. The Quarterly Report will form the basis of the review.

The report should be a critique of the assignment. The mentor will judge whether or not all the learning and creative opportunities were exploited to the full, what problems were met and how they were, or were not, resolved. They should identify any weaknesses and discuss any barriers to performance with the DE, such as people or communication, technical or company problems, and establish whether any personal difficulties such as accommodation, transport etc had contributed in any way.

At the end of each quarter the mentor should assess the level of competence that has been achieved in a particular area, and suggest factors for improvement. Strategies to achieve optimum performance should also be discussed with the DE and the line manager.

A review of the organisation developments and job opportunities, relative to the Developing Engineer’s stage of development, should be discussed by the mentor and DE.

The mentor and the Developing Engineer will then agree an action plan and objectives for the next quarter. These should be challenging but achievable, and should guide the Developing Engineer into new challenges at each stage.

There are “level descriptors” within the e-MPDS User Guide that will assist you in scoring UK-SPEC competences. If you require further guidance about mentoring, please refer to the guidance notes within the MPDS website. You can also ask for advice by contacting mailto:mpds@imeche.orgor telephoning us on the MPDS helpline: 0845 226 0211.