A NEW study has revealed that more than three quarters of teachers across the south west region believe pupils are less ready for work during the post-Covid era.

Education charity Teach First revealed that 77 per cent of teachers in the south west believe pupils are less ready for the world of work post Covid-19 - and that almost half (45 per cent) of teachers in the area also believe the pandemic has left their pupils feeling less optimistic about their career prospects.

The survey explores attitudes amongst teachers and businesses around students’ preparedness for work, with 44 per cent of south west businesses saying they are concerned that ‘lost learning’ from the pandemic will exacerbate the skills shortage amongst pupils and students.

The study also found two thirds (66 per cent) of teachers across the region agreed that improved careers education would decrease the number of NEET (not in education, employment, or training) young people.

To help tackle this, Teach First believe careers education needs to start at primary school level.