Guardian to follow lives of eight young people in their search for work

How long will it take? What challenges will they face? Series to shine light on one of biggest crises facing UK

• The social contract is broken': young people on feeling shut out of careers

Britain is at risk of creating a lost generation. Across the country, almost a million young people - one in eight - are struggling to make the leap from school to the world of work on a lasting basis.

Before the landmark Alan Milburn review, which is expected on Tuesday, the Guardian is launching a new series to chronicle the lives of eight young people battling to get a start on the career ladder.