More than 40 per cent of young people in Chelmsford are worried they won't have the right skills for their chosen career, a survey has found. 

Research by Action for Children has revealed that 15 to 26-year-olds in Chelmsford feel they may be unemployable and worthless, with 15 per cent worrying they will never have the career they want, with more than two fifths (42 per cent) citing not having the right skills, experience or training as the most common reason.

Action for Children, in partnership with Barclays, has launched ‘Skills for Success’, an ambitious nationwide project that aims to equip young people with the basic skills and knowledge to help them into employment or training.

Following a successful pilot, the programme of workshops and drop-in advice services is aiming to help 22,000 young people already supported by the charity’s projects over a 13-month period.

The charity works with some of the country’s most vulnerable young people including those in care, not in employment, education or training (NEET) and young carers.

Stephen Sipple, Action for Children’s operational director in Essex, said: “A job is more than just ‘what you do’, it is a part of who you are and gives people a sense of worth.

“Young people across the region have told us they don’t feel employable, and feel uncertain, lack confidence and are not getting the support and advice they need.

"Those that Action for Children supports have the additional burden of coping with turbulent, often traumatic lives.

"For them, the risk of unemployment and the financial, social and emotional problems that often come with it are even greater.

“Giving the most vulnerable young people the right support and advice to help them get on the job ladder is vital, and with our new programme, Skills for Success, we hope to be able to help thousands of youngsters over the coming year.”

Kathleen Britain, head of UK Community Investment at Barclays, said: “Our insights show that young people are daunted by the competitiveness of today’s job market and struggle to find the right support, career advice and mentoring to move forward.

"That’s why we are committed to equipping the next generation with the training they need to build a brighter future for themselves and their families through the Skills for Success programme.”

The survey also showed that:

• 35 per cent said when applying for jobs in the past they almost always or never got a reply or feedback

• When they did not get any feedback, 67 per cent felt like they wasted their time, 27 per cent felt they weren’t worth being employed, and 27 per cent felt isolated, worthless or angry

• 32 per cent felt the job market is too competitive and there are too few jobs

• 21 per cent did not know what career they want