Human capacity development is key to the long term sustainability of any society or social grouping. This is usually done through goal-oriented transfer of theoretical and practical knowledge.
The Ex-Boys’ community has a huge pool of members who can serve as either recipients or givers of such knowledge.
To tap into this potential and help create a community made up of individuals who have the requisite skill and acumen to operate successfully in 21st century Nigeria, the Chapter has set up a three-pronged strategic initiative that will bring together the two groups of Ex-Boys.
INTERNSHIP
This programme involves short term exchange of services-for-experience between the intern (any junior Ex-Boy living in Abuja that needs hands-on work experience) and any organization run by any our members.
Internships are also a great way for young people to start a career.
(Interested in becoming an intern or taking interns in your organization? Download the appropriate form from the "Downloads" section)
BUSINESS INCUBATOR
This project is designed to introduce selected business concepts developed by Ex-Boys living in Abuja to an intense curriculum led by successful entrepreneurs.
These resource persons (Coaches) will work side by side with the start up team throughout the 24-week program to keep them focused on the critical elements needed to grow their business
Participation is open to Ex-Boys who:
i. have existing businesses and need to gain knowledge and skills that will help them become more efficient and profitable;
ii. are hungry for a bigger vision and want to learn how to scale their growing business;
iii. It is also open to Ex-Boys who have scale-able business ideas, an entrepreneurial spirit and determination to succeed.
The incubator experience will be a process of intense, rapid, and immersive education aimed at accelerating the life cycle of the participating companies, compressing years’ worth of learning-by-doing into just 6 (six) months.
Interested participants will be expected to commit to a minimum of three (3) 90-minute sessions every week.
At the end of the program, the starts-ups know what is needed to take the next step and are introduced to possible capital sources to help them grow. Participants who showed commitment throughout the duration will also have an opportunity to present their business ideas to other Ex-Boys and pitch for additional funding or strategic partnerships.
(Interested in becoming signing up for the Business Incubator? Download the form from the "Downloads" section)
MENTORSHIP
The mentorship programme is designed to create relationships in which a more experienced or more knowledgeable Ex-Boy helps to guide a less experienced or less knowledgeable Ex-Boy.
We believe that we will be building a more virile association when we begin to invest our time and talent into each other. We are confident this will help younger Ex-Boys acquire extra knowledge and skills they need to gain a competitive edge in their respective fields and improve their skills.
Mentorships can either be to transfer specific job-related skills (for instance, an accountant mentoring another Ex-Boy on accounting) or to improve soft skills (such as time management, communication skills, personal branding, etc)
We are of the opinion that an involved citizenry is our best solution to the leadership and economic problems that challenge our community. We hope that this initiative will be rewarding for all mentors and mentees alike.
(Click here to download the Mentorship programme handbook for rules of engagement and guidelines)
The mentoring goals are designed to improve individual productivity or achievement through building on the existing skills and knowledge of the less experienced person.
Mentoring occurs over multiple, planned and sequential interactions using a variety of contact modalities such as in person, or via the telephone or Email.
A typical mentorship programme will last one full year from date of commencement.
Mentors may also decide – based on the specific objectives of the relationship – help provide visibility for their mentees. This means opening the right doors that allow them to meet people and to demonstrate to different audiences what they can do.
Research has shown that when mentors vouch for mentees in this way, their work is much more likely to be well received. To open doors. Examples of this include:
• putting in a good word to people who could help your mentees reach desired goals;
• personally introduce your mentees to appropriate contacts;
• make certain your mentees’ abilities are noticed by others;
• give your mentees assignments or opportunities that enable them to interact with important colleagues, suppliers, or customers; an
Some of the areas that mentors can help mentees grow in include:
Leadership skills
Supervisory skills
Financial acumen
Pursuing career goals
Building self-confidence in the workplace/business
Achieving work-life balance
Time management
Identifying life and career goals
Ethics
Self confidence
Public speaking
((Interested in becoming a mentee or being a mentor? Download the appropriate form from the "Downloads" section)
