Help the young to help themselves

But the Youth Works scheme from London Youth, which is now backed by the Future Jobs Fund, is an eye-catching and innovative programme (see p9).

It has the double-whammy effect of giving unemployed young people from deprived inner-cities a six-month youth work placement. They, in turn, can become positive role models for the young people attending youth clubs - peers who might have had a similarly challenging upbringing and with whom they can identify. Funded by youth volunteering charity V, the scheme is focused on boroughs with some of the greatest needs: Greenwich, Hackney, Lambeth, Lewisham and Tower Hamlets.

The scheme, which enables the young apprentices to get a Level 1 foundation qualification in youth work, equips them with skills that boost confidence, self-esteem and personal development. They are taken away on residentials. If they go on to become fully fledged youth workers and go on to study Level 2 and 3 qualifications, that's great. If not, they have hopefully benefited some other young people in the process and come away with some transferable skills for life. Indeed, the programme includes group activities and games that look to improve the young apprentices' employability and interview techniques in more engaging ways than conventional methods.