Thaindian News

London, Aug 17 (IANS) Millions of school passouts and graduates in Britain have “fairly useless” degrees that make them unemployable as they lack elementary skills, a business lobby group has observed.

A report by the British Chambers of Commerce says small businesses are frustrated at the quality of applicants, who they say can barely concentrate or add up, Daily Mail reported.

About half of the 2,000 firms surveyed said they would be “fairly or very nervous” about hiring someone who has just finished his or her A-levels.

The report warns: “Too many people (are) coming out with fairly useless degrees in non-serious subjects.”

The report’s findings raise serious questions about the nature and standard of education and skills training in Britain.

“In general, younger people lack numerical skills, research skills, ability to focus and read, plus written English,” says the report.

According to Adam Marshall, director of policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, the fault lies with the education system, not with youngsters themselves.

He said new courses spring up as there is demand from would-be students, but not necessarily from businesses.

“There may be a course in underwater basket weaving, but that does not mean anybody will actually want to employ you at the end of it,” Marshall said.

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, despite doubling its education expenditure since 2000, from 35.8 billion pounds to 71 billion pounds, Britain has plummeted in world rankings in the sector.