TWO-THIRDS of businesses in the North-East (66 per cent) believe that secondary schools are not effective at preparing young people for work, according to a major new UK-wide survey of 3,552 business and education leaders carried out by the British Chambers of Commerce and the North-East Chamber of Commerce.

Business leaders surveyed think that secondary schools could do more to help students get on the career ladder.

Among their suggestions was the need to reform careers guidance to prioritise contact with business people and the workplace.

All businesses surveyed thought careers guidance needed an overhaul.

With youth unemployment rates still stubbornly three times the overall unemployment rate, the BCC and NECC called for action, not just from ministers and schools, but also from businesses, more of which need to work with local schools to plug skills gaps and help young people make a successful transition from education to work.