Thirty-two nationalities were represented in the report

The body said 60% of refugees have a further or higher education qualification but 64% are unemployed.

A lack of language or computer skills as well as insufficient work experience in Britain were highlighted as the main obstacles to employment.

Of those questioned for the Refugee Skills Audit Report, 27% had degrees.

Before being forced to flee their home country, 78% had been working for employers, were self-employed or in a family business.

"I was the owner of a large factory and had more than 100 people working for me before I had to give it all up and flee my country." Refugee living in Cardiff

A total of 363 questionnaires were completed by refugees in Cardiff, Newport, Swansea and Wrexham.

They had been translated into Kurdish, Somali, Arabic and French.

There are currently at least 10,000 refugees in Wales, according to the WRC's estimates.

Eid Ali Ahmed, the WRC's deputy chief executive, said: "The findings reveal disturbing levels of unemployment amongst refugee communities in Wales, despite their being relatively highly qualified.

"We now need to work together to reverse this trend if our communities are to be truly inclusive and cohesive."

Following the questionnaires, focus groups which refugees helped organise and run, were held in the four areas of Wales to discuss the findings in more depth.

NATIONALITIES QUESTIONED Kurdish - 25% Somali - 18% Iranian - 12% Sudanese - 18% Eritrean - 8%

In Cardiff, one refugee said: "I was the owner of a large factory and had more than 100 people working for me before I had to give it all up and flee my country.

"I lived very well and I could afford anything I wanted. Here I have to live off handouts and I can't get a job."

One man had completed a masters degree in his home country, where all post-16 education is taught in English and based on the UK curriculum.

At all of the groups, lack of language and/or computer skills was highlighted as one of the top two barriers to getting work.

In Newport and Swansea, refugees said lack of work experience in Britain was the main obstacle.

Mike Lewis, the WRC's chief executive, said: "This report is the first of its kind in Wales and demonstrates that refugees have a huge amount to offer the labour market here and across the UK."

Their aim, he said, was to break down barriers highlighted in the report, such as lack of Esol (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes and non-recognition of overseas qualifications and experience.

Recommendations

The report makes a string of recommendation for the Welsh Assembly Government, the UK government, Job Centre Plus and other bodies.

Among them are increasing the number of language classes and teachers and providing financial incentives for refugees setting up in business.

The report was complied as part of the WRC's Equal project which helps refugees to get into work, training and enterprise.