The tourism and hospitality industry says it is being failed by the UK’s education system.

According to a study by the Sector Skills Council for hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism, People 1st, 85 per cent of employers and trade associations in the industry feel that schools do not adequately prepare people for the world of work.

A further 72 per cent say that vocational qualifications are not fit for purpose.

Three quarters of those polled said the responsibility for addressing skills problems lies with businesses, government and learning establishments, with more than half – 54 per cent – wanting to see the industry’s key players brought together to tackle skills gaps.

Nearly one third of employers said that skills gaps in their workforces affected their bottom line, while more than 12,00o posts remained vacant due to a lack of qualified candidates, according to the survey.

Brian Wisdom, chief executive of People 1st, said: “Employers in the sector are reporting that their staff lack the very skills which should form the basis of their businesses, such as customer care, communication and team working skills.

"We need to raise the game on skills across the industry.”