Barnardo’s has partnered with fast food chain KFC in a new initiative where unemployed vulnerable young people gain work experience in unpaid work placements at KFC branches.

It follows a successful pilot where nine young people from Barnardo’s services did work placements with KFC - two found paid employment as a result.

KFC and Barnardo’s are now rolling out the partnership across the country in areas where youth unemployment is prevalent. KFC has committed to provide 100 work placements before the end of 2012, with a view to extending this in 2013 to 200.

A Barnardo’s spokesman said: “This small amount of work placements is not going to make a significant dent in the ocean of a million unemployed young people.

“But if such partnerships become widespread, a difference could be made to a generation of unemployed young people.”

Barnardo’s also participates in government-backed programmes around unemployment such as the Work Programme and Youth Contract.

Currently, around one in five 18 to 24-year-olds are unemployed. Vulnerable young people, such as those who were permanently excluded from school or care leavers, are more likely to struggle to find work.