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

[TiggersAngel7774]

Brillant , id never heard that a 2 hand handshake meant a more meaningful one. These should not only be shown to year 10/11 but people unemployed 6 months or more too

[fluffyblueberry]

I think the new life skills videos are brilliant - I think using young people to voice the message is much more effective, because other young people will relate to them and perhaps be more likely to take the advice on board. Very informative - life skills are so important and young people just aren't told these sorts of things, so I think it's a great move bringing this up & realising that young people need help!

[srobbo71]

I've seen these ads on tv and think that they are a really great idea. They give young people some much needed pointers about body language and what message it can send out. Not every young person gets this advice from their homelife and it would be a shame for them to miss out on such a valuable skill just because no one has ever taught them. My kids do get told these kind of things but it is nice to have the message reinforced by a third party. I am commenting a a mumsnetter.

[knitnut24]

very educational and informative.

[linheiner]

I am a Mumsnetter. I think they are a good idea. Simple steps to take that could make a big difference in an interview. First impressions are important and this could really help. Obviously they are meant to be a general help to people and won't cover every specific person.

[happysouls]

Mumsnetter!
I think they're a great idea. Different clips will appeal to different people and if even bits of them appeal and make a difference thats a good thing. There's never a clear and easy solution to cover everyone. You just need something to spark interest and maybe more will follow.

[piggypoo]

It's a great idea for kids to watch, a lot of teenagers are self-conscious of their bodies, my niece is forever standing with her arms across her chest because of her bust, and it's a real bad habit she's got into! I will share this with her to watch. It can help to make youngsters more aware of how their body language gives signals to other people. Very informative and the language used is non-patronising.

[Pimmpom]

I think they are great and really get the message across. A bit sad that these life skills are not covered in school.

[katieskatie1982]

great videos think they'll be very helpful! x

[nanoobaku]

Good videos informative and very relevent to my kids

[FrenchieMum2Be]

I really like the videos and I see a lot of young people coming in for interviews and the body language is awful sometimes.

[angelblue]

I like the concept and agree these have a place in schools and colleges. I would be happy for my children to see these videos and thought they were engaging.

[sleach]

There are a lot of basic skills like making eye contact and shaking hands confidently that young people don't see to have these days

[sarah3875]

They hold your interest for the short time they are on and are clever and informative!

[Pinkypurrrfect]

I have to say im loving the Barlays adverts at the moment. Brilliantly thought out. Also with very competitive credit cards rates easy to say i have moved to Barclays as a result of a brilliant advert.

[sundial66]

These are good as it shows real people gives an insight into what employers need, and how you can improve on your own lifeskills

[swanlady2000]

I think the general message is a good one, to equip young people with skills into the world of work... however, I too think the "emmm" one can hinder young people who have speech problem and stammers. One of my DS has a stammer and has struggled over the years to manage this and one of his techniques is to use the word "emmm" to get his words right... through this he has come through a physic degree at university and secured a graduate job with a top company.. lets hope Barclay's don't send the wrong message to other employers not to employ people with stammers!

[lindsey3uk]

I like them I think they send a good message and I would be happy for my children to be watching them.

[VickyRsuperstar]

I think that they are really good and informative and should be shown to every young person to help improve their skills and employability. The advice is great.

[Baconknickers]

Parent

I think this programme is a great idea. I have a few friends with teenage children who are really struggling to find a job and this would really help them. The message sounds simple but I think it's important and perhaps not always obvious to these millennials who have never worked before. I think it is bringing awareness to them and great for them to hear this from a third party employer as well as parents / school to emphasise importance of these social skills.

[jandoc]

they are very informative

[tishist]

Seem informative but I also am weary of the 'um' one.

[HannahLI]

I really like them and saw one air on television yesterday. The concept is great using real young people and I like the variety and range of young people. I already know a little about life skills from previous Mumsnet things but I am not sure that my husband even had any idea so despite being good it was lost without more context behind it - I felt like that somehow needed to be more clear about exactly what it is.

[Candyperfumegirl]

informative and well made

[flamingtoaster]

I'm a Mumsnetter. I think the videos are great and teenagers are more likely to take notice of them than if their parents told them the same things - because they often think their parents know nothing!