Graduates leave university without many of the skills needed in the world of work.

Big companies including IBM, HSBC and Railtrack think most graduates lack initiative and the ability to communicate effectively, the study indicated.

Nearly half believe graduates are not good at making decisions while a third are unimpressed by their ability to solve problems or build relationships, a poll of members of the Association of Graduate Recruiters found.

All of those surveyed believed a "constructive" gap year helped to prepare people for the world of work, the study produced in partnership with charity Community Service Volunteers (CSV) found.

They agreed that a year spent as a volunteer or in a work placement gave prospective employees confidence and experience as well as computer and leadership skills.

CSV said students could take gap years between school and university, or take a year out during their degree, as long as they did something worthwhile and did not treat it as an extended holiday.

The survey showed 57 per cent of employers believed graduates lacked initiative, 56 per cent believed they were not good at communicating and 49 per cent thought they did not have sufficient decision-making skills.

It also indicated that 38 per cent of companies felt graduates were not good at building relationships and 35 per cent reckoned they lacked problem-solving skills.

People possessing such soft skills would find it easier to move up the corporate ladder, according to 79 per cent of respondents.

Carl Gilleard, chief executive of the association, said: "This survey demonstrates many employers regard a constructive gap year as an ideal way of gaining those skills.

"I would recommend that all young people consider taking a gap year, regardless of the career path they are thinking about."