New mentoring services to enable experienced fleet managers to help newer entrants to the sector has been launched by the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP).

A range of different channels have been created through which advice can be sought and expertise shared, headlined by what the professional body describes as “light” and “full” one-to-one mentoring.

Full mentoring includes regular coaching and ongoing support, as well as on-site meetings if they are required. However, it will not provide a hands-on style consultancy due to the time commitment involved on the part of the mentor.

The light service will involve being paired with an AFP board member or committee member, who will then spend an hour a month providing free mentoring, generally through a video call.

It is expected that this will be used to provide younger or less experienced fleet managers with an opportunity to regularly check their overall approach to handling fleet issues.

Paul Hollick (pictured), AFP chair, said: “With a lot of fleet managers closing in on retirement, there is a danger that much of the experience in the sector could be lost in the next few years as seasoned experts retire.

“Mentoring is one of the answers we have so far identified and is a great way for experienced fleet managers to pass on their knowledge to new entrants to fleet.

“It creates strong relationships across different age groups and experience levels, and is good for individuals and the profession as a whole.”

Other mentoring options created by the AFP include the fleet operator open forum, a quarterly online discussion designed to enable members to talk about issues they are facing and hear the views and experience of others.

The AFP fleet operator WhatsApp, meanwhile, allows individuals to post questions informally and ask for advice from other professionals.

Finally, the member area of the organisation’s website enables fleets to post questions alongside a searchable database to check whether topics have already been covered.

Hollick said: “The fleet industry has arguably never before faced so many challenges and changes, requiring fleet managers to develop new skillsets in areas some may find unfamiliar or even daunting so the ability to be mentored by a more experienced fleet professional who can give some additional support and guidance can only be beneficial.

“Through this range of channels, we are hoping to provide the means for a generational exchange of information between younger and older fleet managers that will help to maintain and improve the huge amount of expertise held within the profession.

“We’re also like to hear from any fleet managers who would like to get involved in the mentoring initiative, whether as mentor and mentee.”