10Oct By Celine AkkaryOctober 12, 2026Nawaya Success Stories Job Ready, One WhatsApp Chat at a Time In 2026, 160 young people across Lebanon got ready for the job market from the same place they chat with friends and family every day: WhatsApp. The Digital Employment Readiness Program, powered by Cisco and implemented by The Nawaya Network, is a free, self paced training that lives entirely inside the chat. All it takes is a phone. Every eligible young person in Lebanon could join from home, on their own schedule, in an app they already know by heart. Lessons arrived as short, interactive messages. Quizzes and points turned practice into a game. And at the finish line, every graduate earned a certificate. Learning that fits into everyday life Joining took a single message. Young people opened the chatbot on WhatsApp, filled in a short registration, and received access within 24 hours. From there, the pace was theirs: a module over morning coffee, a quiz on the way to work, a quick review the night before an interview. The program welcomed youth aged 18 to 33, of any nationality, living anywhere in Lebanon. Each module paired clear explanations and real life examples with visual content and quick quizzes that earned points along the way. Participants could pause and pick up again whenever they liked, so learning fit around study, work and family. Six modules, one complete job search The training follows the path a job seeker actually takes, from the first draft of a CV to the moment an offer arrives. CV and cover letter writing. Build a CV and cover letter that present your skills clearly and speak to the role you want. LinkedIn branding. Shape a professional profile that tells your story and helps recruiters find you. Interview preparation. Practice answering common questions so you walk in calm, prepared and ready to make your case. Job search strategy. Target the right roles, organize your search and make every application count. Workplace communication. Write professional emails and messages, and communicate with confidence from your first week on the job. Offer negotiation. Learn to respond to recruiters professionally and negotiate an offer that reflects your value, with ready scripts to guide you. The results: 160 started, 160 graduated Every one of the 160 young people who joined the program completed all six modules. Their feedback at the finish line tells the rest of the story.160 youth trained, and 160 graduates73% of participants were young women96% of graduates reported increased confidence88% were highly satisfied with the program99% felt more motivated and job ready99% would recommend the program to a friendThe strong participation of young women stands out. A format that lives on a phone, runs on your own schedule and welcomes you from home opens the door wide for young women balancing study, work and family responsibilities. A career can start with one message The Digital Employment Readiness Program shows what becomes possible when quality training meets young people where they already are. With a phone and a few minutes a day, 160 young people across Lebanon have worked on their CVs, practiced for interviews and built the confidence to negotiate their worth.We are grateful to Cisco for powering this program, and to every graduate who gave their time, energy and honest feedback.Learn more on the Digital Employment Readiness Program page.