Barclays LifeSkills is a free employability and financial education programme designed to develop skills and employment opportunities for all ages. It brings together educators, organisations, young people and families, as well as specialist charity partners who work in under represented communities, developing the talent of future business leaders.

It equips young people with the essential skills and knowledge to succeed in today’s job market. It provides interactive tools and resources covering financial literacy, job seeking skills and crucial transferable skills such as problem solving and creative thinking. The programme also includes virtual work experience opportunities, a CV builder and online practice assessments, along with specialised support for young people leaving care and those with Special Educational Needs. In addition, its Schemes of Learning have been expanded to provide fully sequenced, curriculum linked resources for age bands 5 to 19, under two core themes: financial education and employability.

Since its launch in 2013, Barclays LifeSkills has supported the development of millions of young people, equipping them with essential skills to enter and thrive in the workforce. The programme’s reach is broad, with over 153,000 registered educators and more than 90 per cent of UK secondary schools engaged. LifeSkills’ impact is regularly evaluated, with 90 per cent of participants reporting increased motivation in their academic or vocational studies. Key areas of development include improved understanding of how to effectively solve problems (87 per cent), what makes a good CV and cover letter (86 per cent), and building confidence in interviews (82 per cent). Participants also reported feeling more positive about the future (89 per cent), more aware of their own strengths and skills (89 per cent), and having greater awareness of different education and training routes (87 per cent). Eighty six per cent of young people felt better prepared to make career decisions and 85 per cent said they had gained higher and broader aspirations, with a further 84 per cent feeling they had a stronger understanding of core transferable skills. In addition, 83 per cent reported an improved understanding of diversity and its value in the workplace.

The programme’s responsiveness to evolving workplace needs is further evidenced by research into workplace communication trends, which highlighted how Generation Z is shaping a shift toward more informal, personable interactions in professional settings. LifeSkills’ continued focus on fostering confidence, adaptability and transferable skills ensures it remains a valuable tool for developing the future talent pipeline, a priority closely aligned with the ScaleUp Institute’s commitment to building the UK’s capacity for scaleups and future scaleup leaders, while also ensuring the workforce has the skills necessary to drive innovation and economic growth.

Barclays LifeSkills website