The mentoring idea sounds good but I totally agree that it depends on the attitude of the n00b.
For me personally, I have been riding on and off for 16years. All my early days were on dirt bikes plodding around in transport depots or private paddocks. In 2001 I eventually pulled my finger out and got a licence and onto a ZZR250 then the ZX7R. My friends aren't into bikes so the vast majority of my skills are all self taught through commuting and the odd weekend squirts alone. So 16yrs under the belt really doesn't count for much I feel like I have a HEAP to learn about getting the most from the 7.
One of the ways I think I'd get there is to go on more group rides - however the difficulty that I find is there’s a sort of preconception when you turn up to some group rides (not KSRC) that because you’re not 18-20, and you’re not on a 250 you must know how to ride well and FAST.. So then you end up stuck in a grid of GP riders who are just flat out above the limit then you're left with the choices of stay within your limit and get left behind/lost or push past your limits to keep up and risk disaster.
So maybe a good start rather than full on one-on-one is just some simple more sedate group rides that people can watch, learn, ask advice etc so people can gain confidence and learn without the pressure of trying to keep up.
As for any mentoring workshops on mechanical aspects - hell yeah. I think a lot of us have experience in various things so I’m sure there’s a lot knowledge that could be shared.
Just my 2c. Apologies for the long post
watch and learn.
.....Just follow Wattie through the 105km secret squirrel road....look for black markers... 
but i'll learn my way through watching you guy's on the road,
