Communities of Practice Transforms Trainee’s Career

In July of 2011, Joseph Nabih, a young professional working at the YMCA Alexandria, attended ECSS first Communities of Practice (Cop) Training of Trainers (TOT) on fundraising and resource mobilization. For five days, Nabih engaged with master trainers learning how to fundraise using new strategies and bolstered his skills as a trainer. Nabih left the workshop excited about his new knowledge and skills and in the following months conducted multi-day training for staff members at nine other YMCAs located in governorates across Egypt.

Happy with his current position but looking to develop his career, Nabih updated his resume with his new skills as a CoP trainer, including the certificate of completion ECSS had awarded those participants that successfully passed the training course.

In May of 2012, Nahih was hired by Creative Business Associates Egypt (CBS) as fundraising consultant, citing his training course with ECSS as the main reason they contacted him. As a consultant for CBS, Nabih conducted trainings for seven NGOs on fundraising techniques. Impressed with his knowledge and professionalism, CBS hired Nabih as a full-time staff member in June 2012.

Not shortly after becoming a permanent staff member, Nabih approached CBS’ management with the idea of implementing a corporate social responsibility (CSR) program and starting a separate association to house that initiative. Management was impressed and enthusiastic about Nabih’s idea and subsequently formed the Inhas Association for the company’s future CSR initiatives. With Nabih at the head, Inhas Associations is currently developing training materials and curriculum for a project that will prepare fresh university graduates, aged 21 to 24, to enter the job force. The course will teach participant’s communication skills, how to write resumes, and interview techniques. The project hopes to reach 150 youth between now and December 2012.

Nabih cites his vocational success to ECSS. “The CoP allowed me to learn a new skill and move forward in my career. I wouldn’t be in the position I have now if not for ECSS.”