Too many students are leaving school without a clue about working life.

Chris Holter, managing director of one of Brighton and Hove's leading training companies, said schools should be more involved with business so work does not come as such a shock to school leavers.

She said: "Regrettably many young people leave school with a great knowledge of how to play computer games but, when it comes to using a computer as a tool for work, they are lost.

"I'm surprised at the lack of basic literacy and numeracy skills. The majority of school leavers are adequately prepared but if schools and businesses had more contact the transition from school to work would be easier.

"The only real experience most get is a week's work experience which, although it is a help, is nowhere near enough.

"They don't have CVs, which most employers want to see before they even think about interviewing and many have no idea how to present themselves at an interview."

Mrs Holter, who runs Brighton IT Training in Queens Road, said the attitude the world owed them a living was as strong as it ever was and, although there were more jobs available, many school-leavers seemed resigned to a life on benefits and had no intention of finding a job or gaining qualifications.

"Many have no idea of basic interview techniques and turn up dressed for the beach. No effort has been made to find out anything about the company or the job and a lack of interest is very apparent from the start. It is only a minority with this attitude and I don't want to knock schools because I know teaching is not an easy job.

"If they approached training for work differently, pupils would be more aware of what will be needed from them."

Mrs Holter wants schools to have a more holistic approach to training so pupils can see the bigger picture and how everything fits together to make a company run smoothly.

"It's good schools give pupils access to computers and email. It just needs channelling towards the workplace.

"The courses we run here have been thought out to give people information technology skills as well as show where the skills fit.

"We've spoken to dozens of employers to find out what they want and most are dissatisfied with the level of skills many people leave school with. But it is also up to businesses to become more involved with schools."