The report states: "In general, younger people lack numerical skills, research skills, ability to focus and read, plus written English."

报告称：“总体来说，这些年轻人缺乏运算能力、研究能力、阅读能力，无法集中注意力，英文写作能力也欠佳。”

One unnamed entrepreneur told researchers: 'Plenty of unemployed, mostly without experience in my sector. The interpersonal skills of some interviewed in the past have been very poor.'

一位没有透露姓名的企业主告诉研究者说：“来应聘的人很多，但大部分都没有我这个领域的工作经验。我面试过的人里面，有些人的人际交往能力相当薄弱。”

Dr Adam Marshall, director of policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said the fault lies with the education system, not with the young people themselves.He said new courses spring up because there is demand from would-be students – but not necessarily from businesses.Dr Marshall said: "There may be a course in underwater basket weaving, but that does not mean anybody will actually want to employ you at the end of it."

英国商务部政策主任亚当•马歇尔博士说错在教育体系，不在年轻人本身。他说新课程层出不穷，但并不总是来自市场需求，而是来自日益扩张的生源需求。马歇尔博士说：“也许开了一门叫水下篮子编织的课程，但并不意味着学完之后有人会真的想雇佣你。”

He cited the American television crime drama CSI as a prime example. It sparked a huge growth in the popularity of forensic science courses, but Dr Marshall said demand for these graduates is low.

他把美国犯罪电视剧《犯罪现场调查》作为一个很好的例子。那部电视剧使得法庭科学课一时间大受欢迎，但马歇尔博士说市场上这方面对毕业生的需求其实很低。

Dr Marshall said he is desperate for the country to listen to business and create the right courses to fit the jobs that are available.

马歇尔博士说他急切盼望着主事者们听听企业的意见，设计出符合就业市场需求的课程。

词汇学习：

devastating: 辛辣的，挖苦的

A-levels: 英国的中学高级水平考试

scathing: 严厉的；苛刻的

forensic science: 法庭科学