My son isn’t far of leaving school, and as a parent I worry that he doesn’t appreciate how difficult getting into work will be. He’s 17, and typically quite grumpy and refuses to accept help from Mum most all of the time.
He hides himself away in his room, plugged into his PC and hasn’t a clue how quickly he is going to be thrust into the real world and all that it entails. It’s something I really want to be able support him with without sounding like I’m telling him what to do. It’s really about encouraging him to think about it for himself, but I felt I needed a bit of help myself.
This is where Barclays LifeSkills comes in. Find out more about me, my teen and what we’re going to be getting up to right here! Click on the link below to watch the first of our video diaries and follow our journey.
In partnership with Barclays LifeSkills
You did this really well Zena. Things are so different now. I had a Saturday job at 17 (on the cosmetic counter in Woolworths!) so by the time I left school I already had some experience of what it is like to have a job. We also had a ‘careers officer’ who spent all her time in a tiny room smoking fags and drinking coffee. When I told her I wanted to be a beauty therapist she told me I had too many o levels and gave me the UCCA directory. I suspect that employers really don’t want to employ youngster because they know that even though they can get away with low wages, this will be outweighed by the training costs and staff turnover rates. I look forward to the next installment.!
Thanks so much for taking the time to watch it and your lovely feedback. I agree there are lots of challenges for young people today, and supporting them will hopefully improve their chances. The next episode is really cool and looks at the Wheel of strengths. I’ll let you know when it’s up Linda
It’s great to know that someone is addressing the difficulties young people now face in the demanding world of today. When I was teaching, one of my responsibilities was Careers Advice, but even then (20yrs ago), this meant I had little more than a one week themed block, so kids got about an hour of actual ‘advice’. It can be an overwhelming experience for young people, once out of fulltime education, and it’s not surprising that so many start their adult life unemployed. This initiative by Barclays looks as if it might just fill the gap, aand I shall make sure I pass on the link to all the mums with teens that I know.
What a great project! I had no clue what I wanted to do at that age and there was really very little advice around back them.
This a great video, and a series I’m going to be following. My son is just doing his GCSEs, and thinking “what next” A-Levels, college etc… and then what follows – work, real life… I truly believe life skills should be taught in schools, alongside academic lessons like maths and English. I know that we as parents can show them the way, but there are so many things that are different now, to “our day”. x
Great idea – you are great on the video too!!
soundsa lot like my 13 year old but we grow to try and help them its up to them to accept it
This is such an important part of their education, isn’t it? Great that you’re approaching it so thoughtfully.
what a really fantastic concept Zena .. well done you 🙂
This is so important and it’s great that your supporting your son with this, especially if his school isn’t doing much. Some schools do help kids with this stuff though – my daughter’s at a state school which does lots of work to help the students prepare for what to do when they finish school.
I thought I had my life planned out at 17, funny thing is, I never ever did what I had intended x
What a great video – my life was very rocky at 17 I was working, but then was hospitalised and when I was released I went into sheltered housing. It seems like a lifetime ago now.
I think Barclays life skills are so brilliant – I love this initiative and know that many aren’t sure what they want to do at this age.
This is a great idea, I was very unsure at that age and it would have been useful to have guidance into the real world. I think you are great on camera! x
I love this idea. Our schools have been fab with helping the kids do their CV’s and interview practice. I am lucky that both mine found jobs at 16 – it really helped their confidence
It’s a worrying time. My son is 15 and has all this to come. It’s a time I’m not looking forward to!
This is so relevant to us too right now, thanks for sharing this x