Businesses are underutilising school leavers armed with good IT skills, research has found.

Database firm FileMaker revealed that 82% of young people were confident in their general IT computer skills, with over 85% claiming to know how to create a PowerPoint presentation. However, only 35% said they had applied their IT knowledge at work.

European manager for FileMaker Tony Speakman said the results showed employers needed to take more advantage of these youngsters entering the economy. “This generation has grown up IT-savvy and educators have done a good job ensuring they have the skills to take into the workplace,” he said. “Businesses need to wise up and tap into the knowledge and enthusiasm this generation has to offer.”

Yngvy Traberg, chief executive of the recruitment website ClikAJob, added employers should establish what new recruits’ capabilities are in order to use them more efficiently.