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Design/methodology/approachAn in-depth study, over a two-year period, of a number of training programmes combining participant observation and qualitative directed data collection.
FindingsWorkers need to be sensitive to young people's previous educational experiences and social context while encouraging participation in education-based work. Personal problems had to be addressed if progress towards the target of education, employment or training was to be achieved. Effective programmes rely upon the front-line workers but the systems of accountability cannot consider developmental work and the significance of young people's immediate context. The role of training programmes needs to be understood within the wider socio-economic context.
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Research limitations/implicationsThe study of a small number of training programmes so it is not possible to generalise from the findings. A limitation of the paper is that the ethical, moral and practical implications of the study are not explored.
Practical implicationsThis paper aimed to communicate and extend understanding of the complexity involved in the delivery of training programmes for young people.
Originality/value of paperProviding practitioners working in training settings with an account of the work which may address some of the criticisms often levelled at this area. It has potential value to inform policy implementation and the recording of outcomes in the area of youth training.