UK students spend more time in employment in the first five years after leaving school than those of many other European countries. But UK youth have limited exposure to either education or apprenticeships after leaving school, according to a study by the Adecco Institute of youth unemployment in Europe.

Peter Siderman, managing director of the London-based institute, urged recruiters to become involved in debates about education to influence changes in curriculum. "This industry could have a big voice in how education is designed," he said.