Background: Our aim was to improve the health of apprentices by strengthening their sense of belonging. An innovative peer-to-peer mentoring program was developed to increase the feeling of being valued by the company and to enhance the health behavior and their self-efficacy. Methods: Before and one year after the program, a questionnaire survey was conducted with apprentices taking part in the mentoring program (intervention group) and apprentices not involved in the program (control group). Variables were the following: self-efficacy (SWE); work ability (WAI); resilience (RS-13); network, value and leadership index (BISI); alcohol and tobacco consumption and sports activity (DEGS). Results: The program improved the sense of belonging and the health behavior of the 1st year apprentices. The awareness to become a mentor had positive influence on self-efficacy and resilience. However, e. g. the assumption that mentors show an increased sense of belonging following the intervention was not confirmed. Conclusion: The peer-to-peer mentoring program is an effective tool to improve the sense of belonging, the feeling of being valued by the company and the health behavior of apprentices. © 2019, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.
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