The Guidance Note (16) provides a guide to understanding the benefits of coaching and how this differs from mentoring. It also includes a list of organisations that can help set up coaching schemes or offer coaching. Coaching can enhance technical and professional effectiveness by supporting critical thinking skills, communications, adaptability, and decision-making, leading to improved confidence working in increasingly complex environments. 

IOR CEO Miriam Rodway commented. “The IOR Education Committee has over the past few years produced a series of really useful tools to support the development of everyone working in the sector and improve continued professional development. They are continuing this work with even more guides being drafted and are planning an open meeting later this year to share this work and get feedback from members on what topics they want IOR to cover next.”

IOR Member Mathew Noon, who drafted the Guidance Note, added, “Writing this coaching guidance note for the Institute of Refrigeration was incredibly important to me because I’ve seen first-hand how powerful coaching can be. My own experience with coaching has played a key role in accelerating my career, helping me strengthen my skills, understand my blind spots, and grow with purpose. I believe coaching can do the same for others in our industry. This guide shows how engaging with coaching can support professional development, improve communication and leadership, and help everyone unlock their full potential. I encourage all IOR members to explore how coaching can make a real difference in their careers.”

The current IOR Education Guidance Notes cover a wide range of topics from skills specifications for technicians to how to become STEM ambassador registered. They are all available free to download at https://ior.org.uk/careers