The Prince’s Trust is celebrating its 30th anniversary in the UK, but it was only introduced to the Island this year.
A confidence-building course was run for 16- to 25-year-olds which helped ex-offenders, those who had recently left care and unemployed youths who were unsure of their futures.
Fifteen youngsters started the 12-week course.
One dropped out, two found work and 12 stayed the pace and are now studying at Highlands or doing voluntary work.
When they started they did not have the confidence to pick up a phone and ring around potential employers, according to youth worker Ted Pafitis, who ran the course.
But by the end they had done work experience, been on an activities trip, carried out community service work and applied for jobs and courses.
They completed the course by giving a presentation at the Town Hall in front of more than 80 people, including the former Lieut-Governor, Air Chief Marshal Sir John Cheshire, and the Chief Minister, Frank Walker.
Now the States have agreed to put £750,000 into further courses and the charity Amazon Trust will match it.
The £1.5 million will benefit 500 disadvantaged youngsters over the next six years.
Mr Pafitis said: ‘It’s about building confidence.
If a youngster with low self-esteem applies for a job and gets knocked back, he or she can get demoralised.’
