The Indiana Chamber of Commerce recently created a new mentoring program aimed at bolstering the skills and engagement of employees dealing with remote working conditions.

“We believe this company-to-company mentoring program can be an important resource for our members to address the continual call to better attract, retain and develop their talent,” Jason Bearce, Indiana Chamber vice president of education and workforce development, said in a press release from the chamber.

The program includes a partnership between the chamber and Engage Mentoring, a company that develops software for use in mentoring efforts intended to “assist employees in career development by forging relationships with qualified mentors throughout the business community as well as acquiring the necessary skillset to become good mentors themselves,” according to the press release.

Beyond attracting talent, training and retaining existing employees, Bearce said employers are challenged in the current economic situation to keep employees engaged and feeling included while they do their work off-site.

“This program can be a powerful strategy to achieve that within their workforce,” Bearce said in the press release. 

The partnership with Engage Mentoring translates into a discount for chamber member businesses that want to make use of the company and their software products, according to the release.

Some chamber members have already had experience with Engage Mentoring such as Don Cates, CEO of 3Rivers Federal Credit Union in Fort Wayne.

“What I enjoy most is the opportunity it provides our team to mentor and be mentored by a broad and diverse group beyond your organization,” Cates said in the press release. “It expands our experience, knowledge and influence that supports our culture and brand. Personally, I enjoy mentoring because of what I continue to learn in the process, and what I remember I should be doing in leading my leadership team.”