A partnership between AMIDEAST and Bank of Beirut is helping Lebanese youth hone skills needed to enter the workforce and advance in Lebanon’s competitive job market.  Since November, AMIDEAST has joined with Bank of Beirut, one of Lebanon’s largest banks, to offer the “Successful U!” program as a way of addressing a variety of professional development needs that the country’s young adults ages 18–25 face in the early stages of their careers. 

AMIDEAST delivers the training through workshops and a boot camp. The “We Boost Ur skills” workshops cover topics ranging from career essentials, computer literacy, business English and presentation skills to the “how-tos” of starting a business and project management. Training is also offered in professional skills such as time management, team building, conflict resolution and negotiation, and emotional intelligence.

The intensive, five-day “Work Success Boot Camp” is designed to help prepare university students and recent graduates for success as they launch their careers and compete for coveted entry positions in the workforce. The first camp, which ended in March, enrolled 20 students from various Lebanese universities, all of whom received scholarships funded by Bank of Beirut to cover their costs. The program included workshops on how to polish resumes, improve interview skills, and strengthen communication and presentation skills. It also introduced participants to key workplace skills such as time management, networking, and teamwork, and provided opportunities for interaction with guest speakers from diverse private, public, and civic sector organizations.

Salim Sfeir, Bank of Beirut’s Chairman General Manager, is one of the founding members of the AMIDEAST Lebanon Advisory Board, launched last September.  The inspiration behind the Successful U! program stems from a shared desire by AMIDEAST and Bank of Beirut to invest in the future success of Lebanese youth.