In a poll of 1,000 small business leaders for Huddlebuy, a group buying site for small businesses, 91% of respondents said they believe the current system is not geared towards producing entrepreneurs.
Many felt the skills needed to run a business simply aren't being taught to the nation's youngsters. More than half (59%) said the Government should place less emphasis on young people going to university; and more on getting real-world experience. And the survey showed that even more feel that academic qualifications will be largely irrelevant for Britain's future business leaders.
A whopping 84% believe that exams just aren't necessary for entrepreneurs. Some of Britain's best-known entrepreneurs have made it to the top with barely any academic qualifications.
They include the man doing the hiring and firing on The Apprentice, Lord Sugar, as well as Sir Richard Branson and Dragons' Den star Duncan Bannatyne. The survey also found that job applicants are unlikely to gain much of an advantage if they have a degree on their CV.
A small majority of the bosses polled (55%) said that if they had to choose between two equal candidates for a management job, they would hire one without a degree over a graduate because they believe a non-graduate who succeeds in business is likely to work harder.
Per Larsen, co-founder of Huddlebuy, said: "It's very much a 'must try harder' school report for Britain's universities from our customers. They clearly feel that the education system is leaving young people poorly prepared for the world of business.
"Napoleon once scoffed that Britain was a 'nation of shopkeepers'. But I think we should cherish out entrepreneurial spirit - and that the education system must do more to encourage it."
