Workplace experience is an increasingly important consideration for employers, research has found.

Yet many businesses struggle to find candidates who are ready and willing to take up work experience placements, according to a report from Barclays.

Even when they do, employers are often dismayed by their lack of basic skills. Barclays research organisation LifeSkills asked 500 small and medium businesses across the UK, what they looked for in potential employees.

Kirstie Mackey, head of LifeSkills said: “Employers place great significance on what a CV says about actual workplace experience, as well as academic or technical qualifications. More than three quarters (77 per cent) of candidates who have completed work experience are the most sought after. Unfortunately, one in five (19 per cent) small businesses say the biggest barrier to offering work experience is they are unable to find suitable candidates.”

The team concluded “more work needs to be done to help businesses connect with education providers”.