Scaleup programmes
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LifeSkills, created with Barclays
Talent and Skills
Impact for scaleups
1.3m+
young people participated in first half of 2023 alone
98%
of participants reported improved knowledge and skills
89%
of students felt more motivated to achieve in their academic and vocational studies
86%
report a better understanding of how to tackle problems
85%
felt better able to make career decisions
Key sectors
Barclays Lifeskills is designed to give young people skills, knowledge and confidence. It brings together educators, businesses, young people and their parents, providing interactive tools for young people to learn in their own time or with their parents through its dedicated parents and families’ section.
Participants can access financial education and employability skills along with important transferable skills such as solving problems and being creative, proactive and enterprising. The programme also introduces young people to a day in the life of a business through its virtual work experience element along with a CV builder tool that helps them stand out when applying for jobs and online practice assessment tests. Tailored content has been designed to support young people leaving care as well as those with Special Educational Needs.
The programme has now helped more than 16 million young people prepare for the workplace since its launch in 2013, with more than 1.3 million participating in the first half of 2023 alone. Participation levels remain high with 90% of UK secondary schools, 87% of universities and 79% of UK further education colleges registered for the programme.
The programme is regularly evaluated for its impact. In the past year, 98% of participants reported improved knowledge and skills and 87% felt more positive about their future. The vast majority (89%) felt more motivated to achieve in their academic and vocational studies and 85% had higher and broader aspirations. Decision making and problem-solving skills also improved with 86% reporting a better understanding of how to tackle problems and 85% feeling better able to make career decisions.
