A study by the Learning and Skills Network found recruiters in the East of England are looking for youngsters who can read, write, do basic maths and show enthusiasm for work.

But only 15.2 per cent said they were satisfied with young applicants and hadn't employed those they felt lacked these vital skills.

John Stone, chief executive of the Learning and Skills Network, said: "Above all else, employers want young people, who are looking for their first job, to be literate, numerate and communicate well.

"This needs to be addressed if we are to equip young people with the skills they need for work and reduce levels of youth unemployment."

But Louise Purnell, personnel manager at Waitrose supermarket in Robert Boby Way, Bury St Edmunds, said she was very happy with the quality of new recruits from upper schools in the town.

She said: "We have a very high quality of school leavers coming through.

"We are very fortunate we have a strong education system in the area and get very good applicants."

The report went on to claim time-keeping and communication skills also ranked highly in the wish-list of potential employers.

Miss Purnell said: "We look for customer service skills more than anything else and people with good eye contact and who interact well.

"We are fortunate in Bury that we have very strong links with the school community."

The report comes in the week Learn Direct, the Government-backed learning and training provider, claimed 17,000 employers in the East of England said their business was suffering due to skill gaps.

It was also claimed 15 per cent of businesses in the East said there were gaps between the skills of their current workforce and the skills they needed.

Andrew Goodall, work-based learning manager at West Suffolk College, in Bury, said they offered numeracy and literacy support for students who may not have achieved high GCSE grades in maths and English.

Apprenticeship training schemes were also available that helped students to find work after their course.

He said: "We have a large database of employers we are actively working with throughout the eastern region.

"The evidence is they are very satisfied. They keep coming back to us and it works very well."