Two thirds of East of England businesses are concerned they won't be able to recruit enough skilled candidates to meet demand in the next three to five years, a new study has found.
This is despite 76% of businesses expecting their need for high-level skills to increase in the same period.
According to regional analysis of the 2017 CBI/Pearson Education and Skills Survey, 92% of employers felt the right attitudes and aptitudes trumped an appropriate degree or university attendance when choosing new recruits.
The survey of 119 companies in the region showed that while more than 70% were satisfied with graduates' communication and team skills, 40% were unhappy with their business and customer awareness and 30% were unimpressed with the amount of practical work experience they had.
The survey also found that 94% of businesses are now participating in apprenticeship schemes.
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