Business in the Community (BITC), The Responsible Business Network, is set to continue as a delivery partner for Barclays LifeSkills in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales for a further three years.

Since 2013, the Barclays LifeSkills programme has been helping young people to build the confidence, knowledge and core transferable skills that employers are looking for, as well as improve money skills.

Between 2016 to 2022, the partnership between Barclays LifeSkills and BITC has supported more than 77,400 young people in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Supporting specifically in areas where young people are facing the most challenges and barriers to employment.

Over the next three years, through this renewed partnership, will enable BITC to reach a further 7,000 young people each in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. BITC facilitators will work with teachers and Barclays volunteers to deliver face-to-face and virtual workshops on CV writing, networking, problem-solving, creativity, resilience, communication and online reputation management.

Claire Gordon, Director, Education and Skills, Business in the Community, said,

“Barclays LifeSkills aims to give young people the skills they need before they leave school, so they have a head start in achieving what many of us had to learn on the job. The importance of supporting young people to learn essential skills and gain the confidence they need for the world of work can never be underestimated and BITC is delighted to be a part of this exceptional programme.”

Kirstie Mackey, Managing Director, Barclays LifeSkills said:

“We are delighted to renew our partnership with Business in the Community for a further three years. We are passionate about inspiring young people to develop the core transferable skills they need now and in the future, and I hope partnership will continue to boost both the confidence and employability skills of those who take part.”

One school in Northern Ireland availing of the support is Longstone School, Belfast. Careers teacher Stephanie Plunkett said: “The pupils really enjoy the LifeSkills workshops. They find them fun, engaging and relevant. The LifeSkills lessons are linked to the curriculum, so it’s backing up what they are already learning in careers, citizenship and personal development classes. The facilitators bring the lessons to life and the pupils enjoy hearing from people who have worked in industry.”

Programme Manager Emma Morrison, who delivers LifeSkills workshops to the pupils of  Longstone School, said: “Entering the working world has become more competitive than ever, and with multiple options for students who are preparing to leave school, programmes like LifeSkills are so important.”