Tell LifeSkills what you think of their LifeSkills videos – x2 £100 voucher to be won! NOW CLOSED

[MichelleMumsnet]

LifeSkills created with Barclays has asked us to find out what Mumsnetters (and their teenagers!) think of LifeSkills videos.

Here’s what LifeSkills say, “We launched LifeSkills last year to help young people to realise their ambitions and be successful in the future. These new videos, using real life case studies, are designed to highlight how important it is for young people to develop the skills they need for the world of work. We are very proud that so far the programme has helped over 718,258 young people to gain employability skills and more than 10,586 teachers are registered.”

Young people can use the LifeSkills website to complete a range of interactive resources, which are endorsed by City & Guilds, to learn everything from how to write a CV, interview skills and personal presentation through to matching their skills to a career. Additionally, the programme provides schools with a range of free, unbranded lesson plans, workshops and resources for teachers to help pupils aged 11 to 19 develop the skills employers most want. Teachers can then use LifeSkills to help match their pupils to local work experience opportunities”.

You can watch a series of LifeSkills videos below:

What impression do the videos give you of LifeSkills? Do you like the look of it, or not? If so, why? If not, why not? LifeSkills are keen to hear from different groups, so, if you have a teenager we’d love it if you could show a couple of the videos to them and ask them what they think of it. Is it something they’d be interested in? Likewise, LifeSkills are also keen to hear from teachers, so, if you’re a teacher let us know and tell us what you think. Whatever it is, we’d love to hear it!

There are two prizes to be won, x2 £100 Love2Shop voucher (note: these are not associated with Barclays or LifeSkills). One voucher will go to a Mumsnetter who gives their own feedback and one to a teacher who gives feedback. So, when you leave your comment let us know which group you’re giving feedback under and we’ll make sure you’re entered into the correct prize draw.

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!

MNHQ

[fazkin]

Mumsnetter:

I liked the videos, they seemed to be something teenagers would give their short span attention to.

[JoJoBaldwin]

I think the idea was well intentioned but if I was a young person I would find them incredibly patronising. I am probably very out of touch with da yoot but I'm pretty sure it's rare for them to use text speak when writing to a potential employer.

[juju3]

Informative and well made and above all useful

[buckley1983]

With such a high level of youth unemployment, it's great to see these messages on TV - making these tips available to anyone seeking work, attending interviews, etc - even if they aren't actively seeking this info! They stick in your mind & are clever way of sharing this useful information.

[Flossiecrossie]

Posting as a Mumsnetter:
I notice a comment above about these ads being partonising. I completely disagree. I believe that teenagers now communicate very differently than we did and their way of presenting themselves to potential employers can be very poor. I think the second video in particular is a strong way of holding a looking glass to some and making them think about the way they present themselves and communicate. The fact that it's a peer talking means they can associate with the message and hopefully learn and benefit from what LifeSkills is all about.

[ScrambledEggAndToast]

I like the videos and think they show some of the basic skills. It may work quite well at school to give teenagers confidence. I would be happy for my son to be shown these when he gets a bit older. Another positive thing is that it allows teenagers to see how others view them. Young people can be so self conscious and this could help them.

[twinklenic]

having 2 teenagers and seeing how they speak and behave i certainly think its a good idea to be showing these videos. A lot of the time the kids dont even realise they are doing it

[Hopezibah]

Mumsnetter.

I have seen a couple of the ads on TV as well as this one. It is incredible to realise that such simple tips and techniques can make such a huge difference and they really do.

THat body language one is so powerful and i think i could learn a lesson or two from it.

[lhlee62]

It's a good video it does make you think more about what you are doing and what your body is saying even when you don't realise. It makes you more body aware

[princesssmitheee]

HATE ITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!

. its telling you not to be yourself... speak like this... no speak the same way you would everyday, cause if you put some fancy voice on and you turn up on your first day and you speak in your usual lingo , youve just faked who you are to yourself and your new employer .

i went to my interview, dressed how i usually would, expressed my own personality, style and voice. ... got the job.

thank you

[gabbyevs]

i liked them-young people talking to others about how to resent yourself

[emella]

We find them humorous, and wonder what they are to begin with; then realise what they are as we've seen a few of them now. Short and concise and get to the point of what you may be doing wrong, my daughter seems to like them anyway.

[tinkertink2010]

I really liked the videos - perfect for school kids.

[baby890]

Think they are really good but only really apply to a certain age group

[phillie1]

show basic skills that far too many youngsters are lacking

[sofieellis]

I think it's great that a company is trying to help teenagers, but I do worry that some parts may be over-critical. Remember, these lessons whould improve self-confidence, not dent it further.

[ataraxia]

I preferred the second one focusing just on the teenager as I think it would be easier for kids to identify with him and he gets the message across well. I've seen it on TV (during X Factor or Xtra Factor, I think) and remember noticing the different approach at the time.

[Stoodles]

So good! I have interviewed some young people for jobs, and sometimes I wonder if they are deliberately sabotaging themselves.. The ones who lounge and mutter just give the impression they would rather be anywhere else

[upsydaisyd0nt]

The videos are superb..Great confidence boosters and prepares the children for the adult word,introducing them to schools would be a great idea.

[pipersky]

The ads are very, very memorable. I like the one with the girl who demonstrates a young person speaking to a company in almost text-speak. Also the ad with the young boy who emphasises the importance of eye contact and dropping 'um' from your vocabulary! I can imagine they would make an impact on young people.

[badgermum]

I think this as been long overdue and that it's so important to teach our children Lifeskills, I have a teenage daughter age 19 who seems to have trouble holding onto any money she earns and also a son of 14 who seems so much more cautious with his money

[VictoriaSt]

Not really fussed about the vids to be honest. they seem to imply that all young people are too stupid to relate to anyone other than their peers using "txtspk", shrugs and grunts. and the "um" video is really quite offensive to those with speech impediments. not a fan.

[sweir1]

I really liked the videos.There is a space and need for these

[empire11]

I think the advice is good and well presented, but I do suspect that the age group that it is aimed at will not take a lot of notice.