Teenagers “don’t get work”, a leading Bradford businessman has warned.

Paul Mackie, vice-president of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, made the stark announcement during a call to arms to businesses to promote enterprise in schools and help shape the workforce of the future.

Business leaders have been urged to get involved with the private sector-led board Education4Enterprise, which aims to provide children with the skills needed by the region’s business community.

The E4E agenda, which has been funded by Bradford Council to the tune of £300,000, will see business and sector ambassadors work more closely with schools to try to ensure pupils are taught the skills needed in the workplace.

Mr Mackie, chairman of Low Moor construction consultancy Rex Procter and Partners, told a meeting of the Bradford Professionals’ Network yesterday businesses had the opportunity to close the gap between academia and the world of work.

He said: “Children are less connected with the world of work than ever before. They don’t get it and part of what Bradford is trying to make sure is that the links between what work is and the academic curriculum is joined up. Bradford and the businesses of Bradford today have the opportunity to help Bradford try to become a different place to what it is.

“It performs pretty badly nationally in terms of its achievements, it has schools that are failing and it’s got a problem with its NEETS (not in education, employment or training).

“A bit of a stark figure for you, which is true, is that kids that end up NEET, by the time they get to 30, one in seven of those kids commit suicide. So if ever you want a reason to help, that for me is a pretty good reason.”

After the meeting, Mr Mackie told the Telegraph & Argus work was being undertaken to get businesses on board to influence schools’ agendas. He said: “The curriculum is the curriculum, because that’s what the schools have to do. The enterprise is the golden thread which will eventually run through the whole of the curriculum, linked to work, linked to employability and linked to growth. So that is the challenge, to get the golden thread of enterprise spreading right through the curriculum.”

Mr Mackie said businesses also needed to recognise the benefits available to them.

He said: “Part of this message is – there is a return in investment because it helps your young staff, it helps new people, it gives you a better corporate image.

“Making sure kids come out of school fit for work, to make sure kids have got the skills, in the wider context, the skills that businesses need.

“That’s what we are trying to get to.”