With high levels of youth unemployment across Europe and an ever more competitive labour market, young people leaving education are expected not only to have the technical skills required by employers but also to be well rounded individuals with the attitude, character traits and employability skills necessary to enter the world of work effectively. Yet, employers consistently report that young people are not work ready and lack some of the core basic skills employers require. Shaping Characters aims to embed character education and employability in teaching practices, careers advice and youth work to ensure young people develop character resilience and attitude that will empower them to take ownership of their own development and acquire character traits such as perseverance, resilience, confidence, optimism, drive, ambition, tolerance, respect, honesty, integrity, conscientiousness, curiosity and focus that will support their educational engagement and motivation. The project brings together 12 partners from the UK, Sweden, Latvia and the Czech Republic. The four secondary schools, four local authorities, three youth organisations and university bring their experience of partnership working across different sectors to develop innovative approaches and resources to ensure effective character development of young people. The project’s long term aim is to raise educational attainment and participation of young people in formal and informal learning that will provide them with the skills and attributes they will need to enter the world of work.