Half of employers do not think that graduates generally have the workplace skills they need when they are first hired, according to a report.
It suggests that many university leavers are lacking essential qualities, such as teamwork and problem-solving when they enter the job market.
The Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR), which published the study, said learning these skills needs to start early, before young people go to university or into employment.
Overall, 49 per cent of the 174 AGR members surveyed said that 'graduates generally do not have the skills expected of them at the point of hiring', while on average, one in four graduates (25 per cent) in an intake do not possess them.
One employer told researchers: "They have a skills base, which we will build on, but [by] no means will they have all the soft skills we expect."
Firms typically provide around 10 days of soft skills training, the report said.
It said secondary school was seen as the best place to learn skills including self-awareness, problem-solving, interpersonal skills and teamwork, while the workplace was the best place to learn how to manage up, deal with conflict and negotiate, while also teaching commercial awareness.
AGR chief executive Stephen Isherwood said: "Skills work needs to start early.
"Leaving it just to universities and employers is too late. We need to see more emphasis on coordinated development across schools, universities and businesses rather than expecting higher education to take all of the brunt for preparing graduates for work.
"By the time students reach university and employment, essential employability skills should be ingrained, so it's just a matter of refinement.
"A focus on soft skills will develop better students, more productive employees and more engaged citizens."
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