Exploring career mentoring and coaching
Exploring career mentoring and coaching is a self-paced online course delivered by The Open University (OpenLearn). It is free, takes about 24 hours, and awards a digital badge and statement of participation (24 CPD points, CPD Standards Office accredited) (free).
FreeChecked on 29 September 2026
- Relevance to work
- 1.8 / 3
- Cost and access
- 2 / 2
- Provider
- 2 / 2
- Credential
- 1.5 / 1.5
- Currency
- 0.9 / 1.5
- Total
- 8.2 / 10
Provider learner rating: 4.8 out of 5 from 16 ratings on provider page, as at 2026-09-29
Key facts
| Cost | FreeFree OpenLearn badged course, read on the provider page on 29 Sep 2026. Free statement of participation and free digital badge. |
|---|---|
| Time | 24 hours (provider stated) |
| Level | Beginner |
| Format | self-paced online |
| Prerequisites | none |
| Credential | digital badge and statement of participation (24 CPD points, CPD Standards Office accredited) (free) |
| Open to | Worldwide |
| Free in | Worldwide |
| Content written for | Any country |
| Last checked | 2026-09-29 |
Topics:Teams and careersPeople leadership
Things to know
- Much of the course is written from the mentee's side; the mentor-side skills sit in weeks 2 to 3 and week 8
- Module titles above are the weekly themes as summarised on the course page, not verbatim week titles
- The badge requires completing the course and passing the compulsory badge quizzes in weeks 4 and 8
- A free OpenLearn account is needed for the badge and statement of participation
Summary
An eight-week introductory course on what mentors and career coaches do, the core skills behind the relationship, and how to be a good mentee or mentor. It helps workers who want to support colleagues' growth and those thinking of taking on a mentoring role.
You will be able to
- Tell the difference between mentoring and career coaching
- Build the self-awareness that good mentoring depends on
- Choose a mentor or coach with confidence and get the most from the relationship
- Reflect on your own experience and consider becoming a mentor or coach
Modules
- Week 1: Definitions and differences between mentoring and coaching
- Weeks 2 to 3: Self-awareness and core skills
- Weeks 4 to 5: Mentoring relationships and finding a mentor
- Weeks 6 to 7: Career coaching approaches and finding a coach
- Week 8: Reflection and next steps
Who it suits
Anyone who mentors or wants to mentor colleagues, and people seeking a mentor or coach.
Who is behind it
- Delivered by
- The Open University
- Hosted on
- OpenLearn (open.edu/openlearn)
- Funded by
- Not stated
- Partners
- CPD Standards Office (accreditation)
Related courses
Questions
- Is Exploring career mentoring and coaching free?
- Yes. It is free for anyone, anywhere in the world. Free OpenLearn badged course, read on the provider page on 29 Sep 2026. Free statement of participation and free digital badge. Checked 29 September 2026 against the provider's own page.
- How long does it take?
- About 24 hours (provider stated).
- Do you get a certificate?
- Yes. It awards a digital badge and statement of participation (24 CPD points, CPD Standards Office accredited), free.
- Who is it for?
- Anyone who mentors or wants to mentor colleagues, and people seeking a mentor or coach.
- Can I take it from outside Australia?
- Yes. It is open worldwide. It is free in: Worldwide.
Sources
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