Learning and Development Mentorship Programs
L&D Shapers Mentorship Program
The L&D Shapers Mentorship program, created by L&D Shakers, connects Learning and Development professionals with experienced mentors. The initiative is designed to support career growth, career transitions, and project feedback, and is offered free of charge.
- Who is it for?
Learning and Development professionals working within companies or NGOs seeking career advancement, career pivot guidance, or feedback on learning projects. - Who is it not for?
Service providers, entrepreneurs, or business owners looking for product feedback, service validation, or market research. - How it works:
- Participants select a mentor using filters to align with their goals.
- Mentor profiles include a Calendly link for booking free one-on-one sessions.
- Participants are expected to respect mentors’ time and attend scheduled sessions.
- If there is a good match, mentorship relationships can extend informally, typically lasting around six months.
L&D Mentor Academy
The L&D Mentor Academy, founded and led by Dr. Karl Kapp, offers coaching, mentoring, professional development workshops, and peer networking opportunities for Learning & Development professionals. It is designed to help participants deepen their expertise, stay current with industry trends, and foster leadership growth within their organizations.
- Who is it for?
Learning and Development professionals with a few years of experience who are seeking to advance their skills, broaden their professional perspectives, and connect with a community of peers. - Who is it not for?
Individuals who are new to the L&D field or those seeking only foundational, introductory-level guidance. - How it works:
- Members gain access to a library of on-demand, self-paced workshops covering evergreen and emerging topics in L&D.
- Monthly live webinars hosted by Dr. Karl Kapp explore evidence-based insights on instructional design, new technologies like VR and AR, and performance consulting strategies.
- Members engage with a private community forum to share ideas, ask questions, and learn from peers across industries.
- All workshops are eligible for ATD Recertification Points and Bloomsburg University Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
- Organizations in Pennsylvania may be eligible for reimbursement through the WEDnetPA training program.
- Pricing: Individual membership is $1,450 per year. Enterprise memberships start at $15,000 for teams of up to 15 members and $25,000 for up to 50 members, including personalized consulting and exclusive sessions with Dr. Kapp.
ANZ Mentoring Program 2025
The ANZ Mentoring Program, led by AITD and NZATD, is designed to connect experienced L&D, HR, and OD professionals with those seeking to grow their careers. It fosters a reciprocal relationship of shared knowledge, advice, reflection, and support, helping participants navigate career challenges, expand their networks, and develop critical skills. The program is open to members of AITD and NZATD.
- Who is it for?
AITD and NZATD members who are either new to the L&D field, aiming to move into a different or more senior role, or seeking career development and growth through mentoring relationships. - Who is it not for?
Non-members or individuals looking for short-term advice without commitment to ongoing professional reflection and development. - How it works:
- The program runs from 1 February to 30 November 2025, with registrations open until 31 July 2025.
- After registering and completing a profile on the Mentorloop platform, participants are matched with a mentor or mentee based on their goals and experience.
- Mentors and mentees schedule their own meetings, ideally connecting at least once per month, either in person or virtually.
- The program encourages participants to network more broadly as it progresses through the Mentorloop platform.
- Registration cost: $360 for mentees. There is no fee for mentors.
Learning and Development Coaching Programs
eLearning Academy Hands-On Cohort & Coaching Program
Learn the whole instructional design and eLearning development process with personalized coaching from Tim Slade and his team of industry experts. Build real skills, real projects, and a real portfolio with direct feedback and mentorship.
- Who is it for? Aspiring, early-career, or transitioning instructional designers and eLearning developers who want to gain practical skills, complete real-world projects, and receive expert coaching to grow their careers.
- How it works:
- Submit your application to join the next cohort. Enrollment is limited and competitive.
- Get lifetime access to all self-paced video courses, templates, and future content updates.
- Work through a series of 10 real-world projects, from basic instructional design principles to advanced eLearning development with Articulate Storyline.
- Build a personalized, job-ready portfolio to showcase your new skills and stand out to employers.
- Receive six months of unlimited personalized feedback, plus four 1:1 private coaching sessions with Tim Slade or a team expert.
- Participate in weekly live sessions and workshops covering portfolio building, mock interviews, Storyline development, and more.
- Access a private community of peers, mentors, and experts for support, feedback, and networking—available even after completing the program.
- Benefit from a 7-day money-back guarantee and flexible payment options, including educator discounts and financing plans.
Peck Academy
Big things are coming. Be the first to explore our new Instructional Design Professional Certification—offered by Peck Academy, a licensed career school built to help you grow faster, craft a stand-out portfolio, and land a role you love. Backed by a 100% tuition refund if you don’t land a role within 6 months of graduation.
- Who is it for?
Aspiring and early-career Instructional Designers who are ready to invest in their future, master essential tools, build real-world projects, and launch a successful ID career. - How it works:
- Complete a rigorous certification program designed to equip you with practical skills, real-world experience, and a job-ready portfolio.
- Master industry-standard tools like Articulate Storyline and AI-assisted design techniques to create impactful digital learning experiences.
- Attend 3+ live workshops each week, including coaching, demonstrations, and community sessions to stay motivated and connected.
- Receive premium 1:1 coaching and personalized feedback from experienced instructional designers to refine every deliverable.
- Graduate with a professional certification from Peck Academy, a licensed career school with a curriculum reviewed by an independent panel of instructional design experts and hiring managers.
- Land a role within 6 months of graduation—or receive a full tuition refund, backed by a legally-binding agreement.
ID Atlas
ID Atlas is a launchpad for aspiring and advancing Instructional Designers, offering resources, mentorship, and opportunities to create impactful learning experiences. Whether you’re exploring the field or looking to accelerate your career, ID Atlas is your partner every step of the way.
- Who is it for?
Aspiring, early-career, or transitioning Instructional Designers who want to learn, grow, gain real-world experience, and build a strong portfolio with support and guidance. - Who is it not for?
Individuals looking for short-term gigs without commitment to learning, growth, mentorship, or contribution to a professional community. - How it works:
- Submit your application, resume, and portfolio link to join ID Atlas.
- Start your journey by exploring the field, learning the theory, mastering the technology, and building your portfolio through guided resources and real-world projects.
- Gain hands-on experience by partnering with us on client projects, earning income while developing your instructional design skills.
- Receive personalized mentorship and coaching to clarify your career goals, develop your expertise, and navigate the job market confidently.
- Join a supportive community of peers and mentors, and, as you grow, give back by mentoring others within the ID Atlas network.
Difference Between Coaching and Mentorship
While coaching and mentorship both support professional growth, they differ significantly in their approach, purpose, and structure.
Mentorship is typically a relationship where a more experienced professional shares their knowledge, experiences, and advice to guide someone who is earlier in their career or navigating new professional challenges. It is often an informal, evolving relationship that focuses on long-term development, broader career aspirations, and personal growth. Mentors offer perspective, encouragement, and insight drawn from their own journeys, helping mentees build confidence, make strategic decisions, and envision future possibilities.
Coaching, on the other hand, is a more structured, goal-driven process. A coach works with an individual to improve specific skills, address particular challenges, or achieve clearly defined outcomes. Coaching is often shorter in duration and highly focused on measurable results. Rather than offering direct advice based on personal experience, coaches use powerful questioning, active listening, and feedback techniques to help individuals unlock their potential, find their own solutions, and perform at their best.
In short, mentorship is about sharing wisdom and guiding broader development, while coaching is about facilitating growth in targeted areas through structured support. Both play crucial, complementary roles in a Learning and Development professional’s journey, depending on the needs and stage of their career.
When to Pursue Coaching, When Mentorship
- Pursue Mentorship if:
- You are exploring new career paths and want guidance based on experience.
- You need help with big-picture career planning.
- You are looking for long-term professional relationship building.
- You want to learn from someone who has “been there.”
- Pursue Coaching if:
- You have a clear, specific skill or goal you want to achieve (e.g., mastering Articulate Storyline).
- You want structured, actionable feedback and accountability.
- You are preparing for a role transition and need performance-focused preparation (e.g., leadership coaching).
- You seek rapid skill-building to meet an immediate challenge.
Pursuing a Coaching Program
Coaching at any stage of a career provides a dynamic and focused approach to professional development. It emphasizes actionable growth, performance improvement, and the achievement of specific goals through structured guidance and personalized feedback.
Whether participating as a coachee or eventually taking on a coaching role to support others, coaching delivers a transformative experience — offering targeted skill enhancement, new perspectives, and the confidence to overcome professional challenges in a rapidly evolving learning and development landscape.
As a Coachee
Engaging in coaching as a coachee creates a results-oriented framework for accelerated skill building, increased performance, and strategic career momentum.
- Participating as a coachee can contribute to career advancement by:
- Clarifying immediate career or project goals and creating action plans to achieve them
- Building new technical and leadership skills through targeted practice and feedback
- Receiving personalized strategies for overcoming obstacles and performance barriers
- Developing critical self-awareness and emotional intelligence through reflective questioning
- Strengthening resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving capabilities
- Enhancing project delivery and execution through ongoing expert guidance
- Gaining external accountability that drives consistent professional growth
- Accessing tools, frameworks, and techniques that improve personal efficiency and team collaboration
- Improving communication, negotiation, and influence skills essential for leadership roles
- Preparing effectively for career transitions, promotions, or high-stakes professional challenges
As a Coach
Serving as a coach not only elevates the capabilities of others but also deepens personal leadership expertise, strategic influence, and professional fulfillment.
- Engaging as a coach can accelerate career development by:
- Refining advanced communication, listening, and questioning skills essential for leadership
- Enhancing credibility as a strategic advisor and trusted expert within the organization
- Strengthening one’s ability to drive performance and foster team growth
- Developing coaching and feedback techniques critical for managing and developing talent
- Expanding personal insight through the reflective process of guiding others
- Building a reputation for empowering others and cultivating high-performing teams
- Staying connected to new challenges and emerging industry practices through coachee experiences
- Strengthening empathy, adaptability, and cultural intelligence by coaching diverse professionals
- Contributing meaningfully to organizational success by fostering stronger, more capable teams
- Finding renewed purpose and passion through witnessing the real-world impact of effective coaching
Pursuing a Mentorship Program
Mentorship at any stage of a career offers far more than the acquisition of technical skills. It fosters strategic development, strengthens leadership capabilities, sharpens critical thinking, and nurtures innovation through knowledge exchange and collaboration.
Whether participating as a mentor, a mentee, or both at different times, mentorship provides a transformative professional experience — offering personalized guidance, real-world insights, and opportunities to engage deeply with the evolving landscape of learning experience design.
As a Mentee
Engaging in mentorship as a mentee creates a supportive framework for structured growth, informed decision-making, and accelerated professional development.
- Participating as a mentee can contribute to career advancement by:
- Gaining tailored feedback on learning designs, strategies, and career plans
- Expanding industry knowledge through insights from experienced professionals
- Developing clearer career pathways with support for goal setting and skill prioritization
- Building confidence in navigating complex projects and professional challenges
- Learning emerging best practices and gaining early access to new methodologies and tools
- Receiving accountability and encouragement to stay committed to personal growth goals
- Enhancing critical reflection through guided questioning and alternative perspectives
- Strengthening professional networks by accessing mentors’ wider communities
- Building resilience and adaptability through advice on overcoming setbacks and change
- Identifying leadership opportunities and preparing for expanded professional responsibilities
As a Mentor
Serving as a mentor not only supports the development of others but also acts as a catalyst for ongoing personal and professional growth, leadership refinement, and strategic influence.
- Engaging as a mentor can accelerate career development by:
- Sharpening communication and coaching skills through articulating advice and feedback
- Deepening expertise by reflecting critically on personal practices to support others
- Building leadership credibility and professional reputation within the field
- Enhancing strategic thinking by helping mentees navigate diverse challenges and contexts
- Developing talent management skills essential for team leadership and organizational growth
- Expanding professional networks through connections made with mentees and their circles
- Staying connected to emerging trends through the fresh perspectives mentees often bring
- Strengthening empathy and adaptability by mentoring individuals with diverse backgrounds and aspirations
- Contributing to the advancement of the profession, fostering the next generation of learning designers
- Gaining personal fulfillment and renewed passion by seeing the tangible impact of mentorship on others’ success
