Not every mentor needs the same training.
Which ABM course is right for you?
The right course depends on where you are in your mentoring journey, how much experience you already have, and what you want to develop next.
Use the guide below to find your recommended starting point.
1. I’m new to business mentoring
You may have strong business, leadership, coaching or consultancy experience, but you are new to the specific role of a business mentor.
Recommended ABM course: Mentoring For Business Success (short online course)
Foundation Level
This is the right starting point if you want to understand what effective business mentoring involves and build confidence before working with mentees.
You will explore the role of the mentor, how mentoring differs from coaching or consultancy, and how to create useful, focused mentoring conversations.
This course is right for you if:
- You are considering becoming a business mentor
- You are new to mentoring business owners, founders or leaders
- You want a clear introduction to good mentoring practice
- You want to understand the responsibilities, boundaries and value of mentoring
2. I’ve started mentoring and want more confidence and structure
You may already be mentoring informally or professionally but want to develop a more consistent and credible approach.
Recommended ABM course: Effective Business Mentoring
Foundation Level/ILM Assured/6 Hour Online Course
This course is designed for mentors who want to strengthen their practical skills and build a more structured mentoring practice.
It helps you develop the confidence to manage mentoring conversations, ask better questions, listen more deeply and support mentees with greater clarity.
This course is right for you if:
- You already have some mentoring experience
- You want to improve the quality and consistency of your sessions
- You want practical tools and frameworks you can apply with mentees
- You want to build your professional confidence as a business mentor
3. I’m an experienced mentor and want to deepen my practice
You may already be confident in your mentoring role, but want to keep developing your judgement, reflection and professional capability.
Recommended ABM courses:
ABM Effective Business Coaching and Mentoring Programme – ILM Level 5 Certificate in Effective Coaching and Mentoring.
Aimed at Workplace Mentors or those who are looking to develop a mentoring practice. For mentors who typically work with middle managers and small businesses.
Intermediate level | ILM accredited | 12-18 months
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ABM Executive and Senior Level Business Mentoring – ILM Level 7 Certificate for Executive and Senior Level Coaches and Mentors.
Aimed at Experienced mentors who work with SMEs and large businesses; mentoring C-suite and senior managers.
Senior level | ILM accredited | 12-18 months
These courses are best suited to experienced mentors who want to refine their practice and work more confidently with complex mentoring situations.
It supports deeper reflection, more advanced mentoring skills and continued development as a professional business mentor.
This course is right for you if:
- You have significant mentoring experience
- You want to challenge and improve your current practice
- You work with more complex mentee needs or business situations
- You are committed to continued professional development
4. I want to keep developing after my core training
Ongoing CPD and Development Training.
Recommended ABM courses: AI for Business Mentors
Blended Learning | 8–10 Hour Course
Keep an eye out there will be new courses coming….
These courses are the right route if you have already completed core mentoring training and want to keep your skills current, relevant and professionally grounded.
ABM’s ongoing development opportunities help you stay connected to good practice, continue learning and maintain confidence as your mentoring work evolves.
This course is right for you if:
- You have already completed foundation, practitioner or advanced training
- You want to continue developing as a mentor
- You are looking for regular professional development
- You want to stay current with mentoring practice and standards
