HR leaders prefer life skills over exam results

15- to 17-year-olds in the UK feel an immense amount of pressure to do well in their exams, at the expense of other life skills.

However, a survey of business leaders found that life skills fared as more important in the workplace than exam results.

The report by the National Citizen Service (NCS) found that 69% of the teens surveyed think exam results are the most important factor when applying for jobs, in contrast to 63% of business leaders who say the best young employees are those who have developed skills and interests outside the classroom.

Confidence and a polite manner were cited by 45% of those asked as important, in comparison to 21% of business leaders prioritising exam results.