Employers often complain that teenagers lack basic skills

A poll of 1,827 pupils starting their GCSEs showed more than half had not had an employer presentation at school.

Of those that had, 18% felt they gained little from it and 12% were put off by what they were shown.

The study, by recruitment communications firm TMP Worldwide, found only 11% of those surveyed felt too young to have "firm career ideas".

The company said that, while it was easy to criticise schools and universities over skills shortages, employers could do more to communicate what sorts of skills were required.

Many companies provide work experience opportunities to school students CBI spokesperson

"It seems clear that there is real enthusiasm and interest by students even at Year 10 stage for careers and employment information," said Neil Harrison, TMP's planning director.

"However, it seems equally clear that neither employers nor teachers are communicating effectively with this age group."

The CBI, which represents business, said work experience and access to the world of work while at school were "vital".

"Employers tell us that too many people they take on leave school lacking necessary communications and organisational skills and need more business awareness," a spokesperson said.

"Employers do recognise they have a role to play and many companies provide work experience opportunities to school students.

"When asked, most students say the chance to spend time working in a company helped them gain better skills in communications, team-working and time-keeping."

Degrees valued

The benefits of going to university were widely accepted by the teenagers questioned, with 61% saying higher education would give them access to a better job and 58% saying they would earn more in the long term if they had a degree.

And 38% of the Year 10 pupils already knew their choice of career necessitated a degree.

The survey also found 16% felt they would be "missing out on a good time" if they did not go on to university and 12% felt they would not be ready to start work at 18 or 19.

Of the 7% who said they would chose a university which was a long way away from their parents, more than half (69%) were female.