Mentorship Program

APSS Professional Development

Mentorship Program 2026–27

Someone in APSS has already made the mistake you don't have to make. Mentoring pairs you with them for six one-to-one sessions of 60 to 90 minutes, from January to June 2027. Associate Members (AMs) learn from Professional Members (PMs), who learn from Certified Speaking Professionals (CSPs).

What mentoring is

Mentoring is

A professional relationship built on trust and mutual respect
A mentor sharing experience and practical judgement
A fresh perspective on areas you may not yet see
At least one practical action after each session
A mentor who is honest with you and cares about your progress

Mentoring is not

Paid coaching: there is no contracted outcome
A substitute for foundations, which are taught in the PD modules or built in clubs such as Toastmasters
Assessment: a mentor never marks their own mentee
Therapy: this is professional development only
A substitute for your own practice and follow-through

Three pillars

Mentors choose the pillars they mentor in. Mentees choose the one pillar they most want to work on this cycle.

Eloquence: holding the stage and the audience, speaking with clarity, confidence and persuasion.

Expertise: substance and depth: specialist knowledge, built from experience, that your peers and the public recognise.

Enterprise: running a profitable speaking business: a credible brand, sales, pricing and proposals.

Who can take part

You are	You can	Mentored by	You need
Associate Member	Apply for a mentor	A Professional Member	90 days of APSS membership 3 APSS events attended since January 2026 One Core Module, enrolled in and paid for
Professional Member	Apply for a mentor, register as a mentor, or both	A CSP	90 days of APSS membership 3 APSS events attended since January 2026
CSP	Register as a mentor	—	—

"90 days of membership" is counted as of 14 November 2026, the date applications close.

Key dates

3 – 21 October 2026Mentors register

24 October 2026Mentor library published; applications open

24 October – 14 November 2026Mentees apply

23 November – 12 December 2026Matching

January 2027Mentoring begins

How to apply

Mentors (CSPs and PMs)

Register by 21 October 2026.
Tell us how many mentees you can take. We suggest 1 to 3.
Add a written introduction or a 1 to 2 minute video on your mentoring style. It helps the right mentees find you.

Scan to register

Associate Members

From 24 October, browse the mentor library and choose 1 to 3 Professional Members. Rank them. Mentors won't see your ranking.
Record one video, 1 to 3 minutes, answering: Who am I? What is my unique value? Why should people pay me? What do I need help with?
Apply by 14 November 2026.

Apply (opens 24 Oct)

Scan to apply from 24 October

Professional Members

From 24 October, browse the mentor library and choose 1 to 3 CSPs. Rank them. Mentors won't see your ranking.
Record a self-introduction, 1 to 3 minutes: Who am I? What is my unique value? Why should people pay me?
Record a "Why I want you as my mentor" video, up to 2 minutes, for each CSP you choose. Speak to them directly.
Apply by 14 November 2026.

Apply (opens 24 Oct)

QR code: Professional Member application

Scan to apply from 24 October

Videos must be YouTube links (Unlisted is fine); the forms accept no other links. Please don't set them to Private, or we can't open them. After you apply, we email you a copy of your answers with an Edit response button. Use it to change your answers until 14 November 2026, so you can send your video first and add your mentor choices later.

Mentor library: [link, from 24 October 2026]

Your application video

Your video is the first time a mentor meets you. They will watch it and decide. A strong video makes it more likely the mentor you want says yes.

Our mentors are CSPs and Professional Members giving their time to this program, and they deserve to open an application that someone cared about. In a profession where people are hired off a short clip, a video you are proud of is worth the time it takes to make.

The worst thing that can happen while making this video is that you will improve your video-making skills.

Before mentors see your self-introduction, the committee checks it against five yes-or-no checks. It is a pass or fail gate, not a ranking. The same five checks apply to both tiers, with a higher bar for Professional Members.

#	Check	Associate Members	Professional Members
1	Answers all questions	All questions are clearly addressed, with evident preparation. Good quality and effort, practice, and a genuine attempt at your best work are expected.	A confident, well-prepared introduction with excellent quality of the standard a paying client would expect of a Professional Member.
2	Clear enough to understand	Audio is clean, speech is coherent, and the viewer can follow the point without strain. Recorded in a quiet space with a steady frame.	Crystal clear audio and well-articulated.
3	Within time limit (1 to 3 min)	Under 1 minute is too thin. Over 3 minutes shows they cannot edit themselves. (both tiers)
4	Authentic presentation	Speaking as themselves, not reading a script word for word off screen. Should feel like a person talking. A prompter is fine for notes. We want to hear you speak. (both tiers)
5	Show self-awareness	Applicants can articulate where they are in their journey. It does not need to be impressive; it just needs to be honest and authentic. (both tiers)

Pass all five: your application goes to the mentors you chose.
Miss any: you get specific feedback on what to fix and one redo. The last date for a redo is 19 November 2026.
Miss after a redo: your application does not go forward this cycle. Keep attending events and taking PD modules, and apply next cycle.

Not grounds for failing: eloquence beyond your tier (though a visible lack of preparation is assessed); whether the committee thinks you are "ready", which is for the mentor to judge; your choice of mentor, which is yours; and your background or setting, although a tidy, well-lit setting shows you made the effort.

Professional Members' "Why I want you as my mentor" videos are not checked. They go straight to the CSPs you chose.

How matching works

All passed applications go to first-choice mentors at the same time. They reply within one week.
If a mentor declines, your application moves to your second choice, then your third. Each replies within 3 days.
If none of your choices can take you, the committee may introduce you to a mentor who still has room.
You will be matched with one mentor at most. Places are limited, so some applicants may need to wait for the next cycle.

What is expected

From mentees

Arrive early. Punctuality is the first standard your mentor sees.
Attend every agreed session. Missing one without notice, even once, ends your place. Give early notice of any change.
Set the agenda and come prepared.
Practise between sessions and follow through on agreed actions.

From mentors

Be available for all six sessions, January to June 2027.
Reply to applications on time: one week in the first round, 3 days in later rounds.
Hold sessions at the agreed cadence.
Help your mentee leave each session with at least one practical action.
Keep conversations confidential.

Your first session is within 4 weeks of matching. Either of you may conclude early once your objectives are met.
Confidentiality works both ways. The committee does not see what you discuss.
A mentor never assesses their own mentee. Competency assessment is done by an independent panel.
A completed cycle earns the mentee 5 CPD points and the mentor 15 CPD points under Give Back.

Questions

Please contact the Head of Mentoring.