Since 2021, as part of its Rebuilding Thriving Local Economies initiative, Barclays actively worked with two colleges in Great Yarmouth, by delivering two years of intensive and bespoke Barclays LifeSkills workshops to post-16-year-olds. The aim was to help local young people, particularly those in need of additional support, to develop the skills they need to be successful in the workplace and prepare them for living independently. Barclays LifeSkills is a free employability skills and financial capability programme, which can support students and young adults, helping them to develop a variety of skills to improve their future success. Across 2021-23 two series of Barclays LifeSkills workshops were delivered by experienced youth facilitators from charity The Talent Foundry, supported by Barclays colleagues acting as mentors. Nearly 100 students across the two colleges took part in one or more of the sessions. The sessions aimed to support different groups who face barriers to employment, such as refugees and people from low socio-economic backgrounds, to build their confidence and aspirations. “The programme has helped me to understand my skills and feel more confident in a job interview.” – participant During the workshops, students prepared or improved their first CVs, learnt how to do well in a job interview, and improved their personal finance skills, such as working out a monthly budget. Many young people also noted that their problem-solving skills had improved because of taking part in the workshops. Additionally, college staff felt that one of the most important outcomes of the programme, was young people realising that they have something of value to offer employers and their local community. Through their participation, they were able to raise their self-esteem and become more positive about their future. In 2022-23, at least 90% of students improved their understanding of:
- what transferable skills are and how to use and improve them.
- their understanding of their own strengths and skills.
- what employers are looking for.
In addition, 87% said they were more open to the possibility of different jobs and careers. Overall, students became a lot clearer about what career they wanted to do, with 72% saying they had settled on a career path or narrowed it down. ‘It opened my eyes to all the different possibilities and helped me be sure of what I really want to be in the future.’ – 19 year-old, female, college student. The final graduation sessions for both cohorts of students were held at Great Yarmouth Town Hall in spring 2022 and 2023. The students successfully completed their mock interviews with employers and received certificates from their Barclays mentors and local businesses. This celebration event was a confidence boost for virtually all students who took part in it. Some spoke in front of an audience for the first time, to the surprise and delight of their teachers. Barclays LifeSkills can support students and young adults, helping them to develop a variety of skills to improve their future success. Educators can use Barclays LifeSkills resources to support mainstream students as well as those with additional learning needs (ALN). In Great Yarmouth, one ALN college educator shared their positive experience of using the free, online resources. They lead a course called Progression to Employment. “The course is all about developing employability skills…, so I found Barclays LifeSkills very useful…[as well as] for the money skills, …how to help the students understand essential and non-essential spending, how to help them budget.” Students improved and developed their confidence, transferable skills, knowledge of workplace situations, helping them be better prepared to secure a job. Find out more about how Barclays LifeSkills free resources can help businesses, charities and other organisations to help young people and adults in your local area to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence they need for work, visit barclayslifeskills.com.