Around 80 per cent of young adults in Britain believe they face barriers to the career they want to pursue, according to a survey out today.

Around one in five 16 to 22-year-olds sees the lack of opportunities due to the recession as the biggest hurdle, with 10 per cent blaming their failure to achieve the right grades.

Research also underlined a need for targeted work experience.

Although 81 per cent have had an occupational placement, 44 per cent feel it was not relevant to their future career.

Legal firm Allen & Overy questioned 1,003 Britons aged between 16 and 22 about their plans.

They found that 16 per cent cited a lack of work experience as a barrier to their ideal job.

Many who had no work experience said they did not know how to go about getting it.

Around one in 12 said a lack of business contacts hampered job chances.

David Morley, senior partner at Allen & Overy, said: “Work experience is crucial to getting ahead in many careers now.”