The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) says too many young people lack even the most basic work skills such as communication and working in a team.

Findings from a study of 3,000 BCC members shows that 90 per cent believe school leavers were underequipped to find jobs, while more than half said the same of university-leavers.

BCC director general John Longworth said: "Business people tend to favour more skilled and experienced applicants - and while they do sympathise, their primary function is to run a business which means making business decisions.

"Firms need young people that are resilient, good communicators and understand how to work as part of a team. We believe that successive governments have failed our young people by not properly equipping them for their future careers."

The BCC said it wants universal work experience in all secondary schools to give young people an idea of what working environments are like. It also wants school assessments to contain an element on whether educators are teaching work skills.

A Department for Education spokesman told the BBC website: "Our plan for education is designed to give every child the knowledge and skills they need to prepare them for life in modern Britain, and getting them ready for the world of work is part of this.”