The high-profile launch of an £8m Millennium project to help disadvantaged young people was awash with local dignitaries and other representatives - but not the young people themselves.

It was not that Oxford City Council did not invite a group of young people to the launch at the Museum of Modern Art, in Pembroke Street, where employment minister Andrew Smith gave the keynote speech.

Nor was it that disadvantaged and destitute young people have not been involved in consultations on building a state-of-the art centre for accommodation, training and advice, beside the Oxford College of Further Education, in Oxpens.

It was simply that none of the 16 to 25-year-olds invited to the 8.45am launch turned up. The setback left Valerie Johnson, youth scheme manager at the city council, attempting to illustrate one of the problems faced by many disadvantaged school leavers.

"It is an indication of the need for life skills," she said. "Maybe one of the first things we should offer is map reading!"

There is, however, no doubt that Oxford's young people are crying out for help and facilities to give them a kickstart in life.

The new centre - to be known as The Junction - will provide affordable accommodation for 50 young people and on-site access to training and advice. It is based on the national Foyer scheme, which has 74 similar centres nationwide. The city council and the Warden Housing Association, which have been working on the project for three years, have put up £7m and the Government £1.26m to get it under way. A wide range of organisations and companies have also pledged support - though another £500,000 is still needed.

Andrew Smith, who is backing the project as in line the Government's New Deal employment programme, told the launch: "It is important that this project meets the needs for accommodation and training for the disadvantaged and for young people as a whole - especially those who cannot look to a family for emotional and material support, which is sadly the case with too many young people."

"I congratulate all those who have worked to get this project off the ground."

Work is expected to begin on the new centre in late spring or early summer next year.

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