This paper presents the results of the Italian subsample of an ongoing international research project on youth, religion, and spirituality conducted by the research group Footprints: Young People. Expectations, Ideals, and Beliefs. The analysis is based on data from a survey conducted in Italy in January 2026 with approximately 1,000 young people and examines how work is perceived in relation to education, personal values, and broader moral or spiritual orientations. The results will show if young Italians tend to view work as central to personal stability and social recognition, while expressing significant concern about job insecurity, limited opportunities, and difficulties in long-term planning. Work is widely associated with personal identity and independence, but is often experienced as fragile and uncertain, especially in a labour market characterised by temporary contracts and late transitions to stable employment. Education is generally valued as an essential route into the world of work, although young people often question its ability to provide adequate preparation for current professional demands. The survey results will reveal whether these trends are confirmed and to what extent personal values play a significant role in shaping young Italians' attitudes towards work, particularly with regard to fairness, responsibility and contribution to society. It will also examine the extent to which religious and spiritual references are still present in the Italian context and whether they tend to function as cultural and moral frameworks. It will also examine whether the younger generations continue to pursue a strong desire for security and meaning in their work, overcoming structural limitations and seeking consistency between professional aspirations, personal values and life plans.