Ipod shuffle 3rd Gen is not turning on

First of all, the instructions for this model are not precise enough: I assume therefore, the following about the Status light (see the screenshot below):

1. it will not turn on if the three-way switch is in the off position, unless the charger is charging the iPod
2. it turns on if either:
   1. the charger is plugged in and providing power to the iPod
   2. if the three-way switch is turned "on"

I note that the only apparent method for charging this model of iPod is with the dedicated lead that came with the iPod (or the appropriate replacement one from Apple); i.e. one with a headphone plug on one end and a USB plug on the other. Most iPod models use a different style of charging lead:

If the Status light fails to turn on when you move the three-way switch to eithert on position, that suggests that the battery is discharged (drained down). If you plug power into the iPod and then the Status light comes on as green as soon as you plug the charger into it, that suggests that the battery is fully charged. If the Status light stays green when you unplug the charger, that indicates that the battery is fully charged. However, if the battery light turns off, that suggests the the battery may have reached the end of its useful life.

Note that the green light is the tiny "hole" next to the headphone socket, marked as Status light in the screenshot below. To be clear, the "green section" in the three-way switch is shading, not a light:

Note also, that in order to use that particular model of iPod, you need to headphones that came with it (or are designed as a replacement for it), as the headphones lead has the controls that allow you to start the iPod playing via the centre button on the headphones switch. There is no Play button on the iPod itself.

The Status light indicates as follows:

When being charged:

• • solid green - fully charged
  • solid orange - charging
  • blinking orange - do not disconnect the iPod from the computer

When not being charged:

• • solid green - good charge
  • solid orange - low charge
  • red - battery very low

There's more information in the user manual for this model, which can be found by following the link: iPod shuffle (3rd generation) - User Guide.

If the link fails to work (it shouldn't), go to the link for the iPod's documentation and the follow the link to the guide: iPod shuffle (3rd generation) Manuals and Downloads - Apple Support