Business leaders favour school leavers over graduates

Nearly one fifth (18 per cent) of the UK’s business leaders believe school leavers make better employees than university graduates.

The research carried out by recruitment agency Adecco Group Solutions surveyed 500 business employers (with company turnover ranging from £500,000 to £20 million) and 1,000 employees across the UK.

It seems more businesses are offering apprenticeships to school leavers, with 43 per cent of the employees questioned confirming their companies recently set up apprenticeship schemes.

Chris Moore, managing director of Adecco Group Solutions says: ‘We have found employers now hold attitude and personality (91 per cent) in greater esteem than academic or even vocational qualifications (35 per cent) when assessing new recruits.’

Worryingly, more than one in three employers (36 per cent) surveyed feel the current education system fails to equip young people with the critical skills required by British businesses. Employers feel newcomers are most lacking in interpersonal skills (41 per cent), and critical IT skills (41 per cent).

The findings are compounded by employees with nearly half (46 per cent) admitting their degree failed to provide the right skills to enter business.

Moore adds: ‘Although extremely valuable, a strong academic record is no longer a sufficient prerequisite for entry into today’s working environment.

‘The government has to listen to employers who are telling us that our education system has to ensure soft skills are valued alongside an emphasis on academic excellence.’