I would disagree,
I am not a fan of shortcuts,
Is someone is discouraged by having to take 10-12 hour course for the privilage of a lifetime of hunting, then maybe hunting isn't for them.
Most that I know that love the outdoors, come out really appreciating the course.
Personally I think the course is too short.
As for a mentor? Who qualifies the mentor?
Just because one is a hunter doesn't make them a safe, ethical legal hunter.
Most of the poaching and game law violators are rarely new hunters, but usually seasoned hunters.
Many veteran hunters also develope bad habits which can get passed to new hunters.
We as hunters are always free to mentor new hunters, don't need state/fed mandating regs for us to act as mentors