Almost three quarters of organisations now use mentoring schemes and nearly nine out 10 firms expect their managers to deliver coaching as part of their day-to-day work, according to a new survey.
The study by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development comes as the organisation has developed a new "certificate in coaching and mentoring" to enable managers better to develop their coaching and mentoring skills and knowledge.
The vast majority of employers believe coaching can deliver tangible benefits to both individuals and organisations, and 82 per cent reported that formal mentoring schemes are one of most effective development activities, said the CIPD.
The majority of employers planned to increase the use of mentoring and coaching over the next few years, it added.
CIPD adviser on training, learning and development Jessica Jarvis said: "Staff development is now an ongoing activity using a wide variety of formal and informal learning methods.
"Coaching and mentoring are increasingly popular as the importance of on the job learning is recognised in the workplace.
"However, if coaching and mentoring are to deliver on the promise they offer, employers need to ensure that line managers are provided with sufficient training themselves," she added.
Research last month by consultancy Skai Associates suggested that in many organisations the use of coaching and mentoring is neglected, with coaching offered only when requested.