'At risk' young people and preparedness for work: the Youth Choice Project

This paper is based on the critical evaluation of an initiative devised to support young people, on the margins of criminality, to gain inclusion into mainstream society through the provision of targeted support and work experience. Through a critical analysis of the processes and outcomes of the initiative we will demonstrate that what became known as the Youth Choice project contributed much to enhance the personal and professional development of the young people engaged in the project. We will also demonstrate that Youth Choice impacted positively on young people’s knowledge and attitudes towards decision making and self-development; an improved opinion of self; the development of life skills, confidence, and self-esteem, as well as increased aspirations for the future. We conclude that there is a strong and persuasive economic argument for making similar opportunities available to all ‘at risk’ young people.