Index project

A locally‐devised, grass roots, self‐help scheme now being launched in St Helens to become effective by September 1981 with the purpose of providing a pilot‐project scheme to bridge the gap between leaving school at 16 and entering adult working life at 18. This particular scheme looks like attracting a great deal of attention not only from other towns in the UK but also from towns abroad. It is destined to become one of the models, in the immediate future, for involving the whole local community in making comprehensive provisions for that part of the 16–18 year‐old group which is not in full‐time education or formal traineeships. INDEX has now been under development for two years. Although adequate funds have not yet been assembled a definite commitment to proceed has been made by the organisers in order to provide for a first intake in September 1981. In the article which follows Keith Atherton, Manager of Training Planning and Administration at Pilkingtons, and one of the leading advocates and architects of this approach, examines the problem of the unemployed teenager and outlines the philosophy behind the new initiative. The article is based on a document he prepared for presentation to officials of the European Social Fund at the end of January 1981 in an attempt to gain their assistance in the financing of the project.