The unemployment statistics released last week made for sombre reading. We have the highest levels of unemployment for 17 years, with almost one million 16 to 24-year-olds unemployed.

Tackling this crisis must be a government priority. At the ACEVO, we are working on two different strands to advise this policy area. First, our commission, chaired by David Miliband, is examining how to reduce youth unemployment, and will report this winter.

Second, the ACEVO is closely involved in the development of the Work Programme. As part of this, we have conducted a survey of third sector organisations involved in the programme – the first piece of work of its kind – to obtain an informed picture of the sector's experiences.

The results are not promising. Only 8% think the programme will meet its targets, and a similar proportion believe the differentiated payments are sufficient to work for the hardest to help.

The survey produced evidence of the sector still being used as bid candy, and suggested third sector organisations were also being required to shoulder significant risks. While delivery has started in many areas, 60% of third sector organisations still have to receive signed contracts, and almost 40% need to finalise price levels.

The Government needs to attract a wide range of providers into the market if the Work Programme is to succeed. Urgent measures must be implemented if the third sector is to be meaningfully engaged as a delivery partner.

We have, therefore, called on the Government to increase the transparency of the programme, and allow more performance data to be published. We have also called for more nuanced monitoring to assess how well the programme is working for the hardest to help.

Finally, we have called for stronger representation of sub-contractors to the Department for Work and Pensions, and faster implementation of the Merlin standard to tie down some of the implementation challenges.

There is significant potential and a great deal to like in the design of the Work Programme. We must now work together to ensure it comes to successful fruition.

Sir Stephen Bubb is chief executive of the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations