Young people are warning of a tough future ahead with more than 60 per cent feeling nervous about their employment prospects, according to research published by the Action for Children Scotland charity.
The survey of 15 to 26-year-olds across Scotland has revealed their fears of being "unemployable" and "worthless".
One in five feel that they can never have the career they want, with 40 per cent citing not having the right skills, experience or training as the most common reason.
Action for Children Scotland has launched a project called Skills for Success 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.
Workshops will be taking place across the country at Action for Children Scotland services including its homeless accommodation in West Dunbartonshire, and youth employment initiatives in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Details are being finalised and for the workshops which are also designed to steer people to careers they might not otherwise have chosen.
The charity works with some of the country's most vulnerable young people including those in care, not in employment, education or training and young carers.
Carol Iddon, Action for Children Scotland's director of children's services, 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 Scotland 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 Scotland 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 young people over the coming year."
A CBI Scotland spokesman said the findings represent an opportunity to offer more help to young people.
He said: "We must make sure that all Scottish young people have the right support and preparation to enable them to go on to have fulfilling and successful careers.
"Scotland's Curriculum for Excellence has laid strong foundations with its dual focus on academic attainment and developing the broader behaviours needed for success in work and life.
"But the careers system is a weak link, with vocational routes and apprenticeships undersold to young people. We must do more to encourage businesses, schools and colleges to work together to better inform and inspire our young people about the full range of careers on offer -and of the different routes available.
"Businesses would also like mandatory work experience and careers talks for pupils throughout the 3-18 curriculum and they want young people staying in full-time education or training post 16 to continue to study maths and English."
Figures are from One Poll. The total sample size was 2,000 UK young people aged 15-26. Fieldwork was undertaken between March 9-12. The survey was carried out online.
Action for Children works directly with more than 300,000 children, young people, parents and carers each year, with 75 services in Scotland.
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