Research shows that the transferable skills your learners need include adaptability, creativity and problem solving[1]. LifeSkills offers a range of resources to help learners of any age with developing these skills and more.
But how do these skills help an individual as they move into work?
Adaptability
Indeed recently reported that adaptability can make an individual:
- A more valuable employee
- A better leader
- Better equipped to face challenges
- Happier
- More adaptable to career changes
- More relevant[2]
A focus on adaptability can be a valuable way to support your learners’ journey through education or retraining, and job seeking.
“LifeSkills gave me a framework which I was able to adapt to help me with answering questions in my interview.” – Apprentice
Regardless of what type of work your learners aspire to, it’s likely there will continue to be changes to how that job is performed as the world of work evolves. This would mean the skill of adaptability remains relevant for your learners throughout their careers.
For younger learners (16-24), you can access the Adaptability lesson plan, which includes interactive activities suitable for a group in the classroom, and a short introductory video on the skill can be found on the same webpage.
For adult learners, we have developed flexible modules that can be delivered one-to-one or in small groups. Learners will be encouraged to set actions within a do now, do soon, do later framework. For example, in Overcoming Setbacks, learners will think about how they can improve and adapt next time they face a challenge and how this could have a positive impact on their future.
Problem solving
Problem solving was shown to be one of the four most in-demand core skills found across roughly 142,000 job advertisements in a 2020 study[3]; LifeSkills has identified six stages of problem solving that can provide a framework for tackling the next problem that gets in your students’ way.
If you’re working one-on-one with a learner, explore this module that will assist learners to feel more empowered when facing challenges and to take appropriate action to find effective solutions.
If you’re in a classroom, you can teach the six stages via our Problem Solving lesson which also encourages reflection on past problems to help learners develop an adaptable approach to solving them.
Self confidence
For learners on a job seeking journey, it might help them to understand that it’s normal to have self-doubt and fear when faced with doing something new or challenging.
When people step out of their comfort zone, like attending a job interview, this threat response can be activated, and it is normal for this to also trigger insecurities, fear or anxiety and override positive feelings.
Use this module to explain and discuss these feelings and equip your learners with strategies to manage negative thoughts. You’ll also help them to identify key behaviours that will help them, such as planning ahead, sticking to a routine and making a good first impression.
For younger learners, our Self Confidence lesson contains activities suitable for a classroom, as well as learners working independently or remotely.
Financial capability
The Financial Conduct Authority has shown that three in eight adults (38%) have seen their financial situation overall worsen because of Covid-19[4]. The same survey shows that 30% of adults felt they had low knowledge about financial matters in October 2020.
Help your learners to feel more in control with this financial capability module that demystifies payslips and helps them have a better understanding of their income, including from work and other sources such as benefits.
In the classroom, select from these resources for learners 16+, including materials specifically targeted at care leavers, which cover topics from fraud, budgeting, understanding payslips and living independently.
“LifeSkills resources teach me what working life is like and also important things like managing money, which I think is very beneficial.” – FE student
Getting started
As educators, you know adult learners will have different starting points and different existing skills and knowledge. When deciding where to target your support, the LifeSkills Wheel can help you identify what skills a learner could focus on. It’s a simple online assessment tool that provides a snapshot of areas where your learner already feels confident and where change could have the biggest impact for them. The wheel then suggests a personalised journey for that learner. What’s more, you can see all of your learners’ wheels any time you log in by clicking the wheel icon in the website menu.
The LifeSkills modules have been specifically designed to provide an opportunity for adult learners to develop the transferable skills they need and are short, relevant and flexible. They are discussion and reflection based, brought to life through real life case studies. Learners will be encouraged to set actions within an accessible and practical do now, do soon, do later framework. Covering topics including all those above and more, our modules will help you motivate your learners to reach their potential.
For an overview of the range of resources LifeSkills offers for adult learners, check out our film which takes your through all the interactive tools, activities and modules available on our website. If working with younger students, explore lessons, tools and worksheets via the lesson filtering page.
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[1] https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/10/top-10-work-skills-of-tomorrow-how-long-it-takes-to-learn-them/
[2] https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/adaptability-in-the-workplace
[3] https://edarxiv.org/7ef4m/download
[4] https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/research/financial-lives-survey-2020.pdf
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