Meet 12 very different people with one thing in common - they're all looking for a job.
Some have worked before, some have degrees, some have just finished training ... all are keen to prove their worth.
We all know jobs are hard to come by in the current economic climate and that's why the Chronicle has got behind our determined dozen and why we are appealing for your help.
We want Wanganui businesses to give our would-be workers a break, and today the Chronicle launches its "Give Them A Chance" campaign with the intention of opening some doors to full-time employment.
We are looking for a few champions out there in the business world who will offer our hopefuls work experience. They don't expect to be paid - they just want the chance to show what they can do and get some hours on the job under their belts.
We need local companies to rally round and offer 12 work experience placements and, if all goes well, our keen young men and women will come out with a glowing reference, a stronger CV and the confidence that they can perform in the workplace environment.
And, of course, if they come out with a job offer, so much the better.
They have been chosen as likely lads and lasses by Susan Crawshaw, trades facilitator with the Whanganui Employers' Chamber of Commerce, which is right behind our campaign.
The Chronicle will be monitoring their progress over the next couple of months and, hopefully, we will have plenty of success stories to report on.
Meet our 12 hopefuls:
Jordan Ash, 23, from Marton, hoping for work in admin, IT or programming.
Matt Rogers, 21, from Wanganui, hoping for work in retail or sales.
Georgia Simons, 17, from Wanganui, hoping for work in retail or hospitality.
Jeremy Kirkwood, 23, from Wanganui, hoping for work business or commerce.
Jessica Vlaanderen, 18, from Wanganui, hoping for work in agriculture or hospitality.
Jason Thomas, 41, from Aramoho, hoping for work in building or carpentry.
Matt Gibbs, 18, from Hunterville, hoping for work in agriculture.
Yusuf Roble, 46, from Wanganui, hoping for work in building or carpentry.
Georgia Palmer, 18, from Wanganui, hoping for office work in administration.
Teigan Meade, 18, from Wanganui, hoping for work in building or carpentry.
Sonia Tutaki, 42, from Wanganui, hoping for work in accounting.
Kahu Ryan, 16, from Wanganui, hoping for office work in administration.
Anyone who can offer a place to one of our 12 should contact the Chronicle by phoning 06 3490710, or by emailing - mark.dawson@wanganuichronicle.co.nz.