More than three-quarters of employers believe graduates lack basic business
skills such as team working, problem solving and presentation, research finds.
The survey of 253 managers by the Chartered Management Institute and the
London College of Printing, also reveals that only three out of 10 are
impressed with graduates’ ability to communicate.
The research finds that this skills gap is affecting the performance of
young executives. Six out of 10 employers claim that poor interpersonal skills
among young executives is reflected by poor diplomacy at work, while half the
respondents believe this shortcoming results in a lack of understanding of
colleagues and the customer.
Nearly 50 per cent of employers think young executives lack formal etiquette
at work and four out of 10 managers report that they lack the skills to handle
board meetings. Almost half of the managers surveyed claim that the education
system fails to meet employers’ needs for staff.
May Chapman, chief executive of the Chartered Management Institute, said:
"Finding young executives with the right skills is vital not only to the
success of individual organisations but also to the overall competitiveness of
UK plc.
"We recognise the priority being given by the Government to improving
educational standards but the positive results have yet to filter
through."
Employers would like students to have access to more work experience, campus
communication skills centres and career advice about workplace behaviour to
help them become better prepared for their careers.
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