The Ready, Steady, Work course is an initiative under the Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs programme, and involves a joint approach between the task force and some of Clutha's major employers to run a mentoring programme alongside employment.
Mr Cadogan said although the numbers of unemployed youth should be down from last year, the need remained.
As a member of the task force, Mr Cadogan has been working with five government agencies and community groups to reduce youth unemployment by identifying those needing jobs earlier and helping them become attractive prospects for Clutha employers.
The programme is set to be held over November, but the local body elections in October will determine whether Mr Cadogan remains involved as the programme is part of the task force.
''We'll set up the structure. If it [mayoralty] is a problem, then we will have to cross that bridge when we get to it.''
The Ready, Steady, Work course was first run last November, and was funded by the Ministry of Social Development, which also provided staff to help run it.
It incorporated a fitness and healthy eating programme, mentoring, sessions with speakers and tours of local businesses. The course was based for a week at Telford, where young people stayed in the hostel and learnt agricultural skills.
More than a dozen Clutha employers took part, offering jobs in factories, forestry, agriculture and other sectors.
Mr Cadogan met key figures last month, and said all major employers were keen to be involved in the course again this year.
He said the group would ''tweak'' the programme including toning down the physical side, and was finalising contracts with the Ministry of Social Development.
Ministry southern regional commissioner John Allen said in March the issue of youth unemployment was never going to be solved by the ministry alone. Rather, it would require the community and employers coming together.
This week he told the Otago Daily Times Work and Income was discussing providing funding towards this year's programme under an arrangement with the mayor.
Clutha sub-area supervisor Senior Sergeant Richard Whitmore said the police were pleased with the interaction they had had with young people on last year's course and ''fully supported'' the initiative.
''The programme is about giving opportunities to youth having difficulty getting employment ... it's also a good opportunity to break down any barriers between police and youth on the programme.''
Snr Sgt Whitmore said it was good to be involved with a positive initiative for the community.
