Business should snap up young talent in a bid to survive the recession, according to an advice group.

Business Link London believe small and medium business should make the most of top graduates and school leavers in Croydon to help grow during the recession.

It said Croydon businesses were more likely to be able to hire these graduates as London’s large employers have reduced their graduate recruitment targets.

The advice follows a recent poll commissioned by Business Link in London which shows more than seven out of 10 businesses in the capital are feeling optimistic about the next 12 months.

In the poll of more than 100 small and medium-sized businesses in Croydon, 77 per cent said they were feeling optimistic.

Denis Palmer, Business Link in London’s regional manager, said: “If you want to grow your business, hiring talented graduates and school leavers can be one of the best things to do. These young people are hungry for experience, often bringing an injection of energy to a business and are ambitious to learn.

“As our poll shows, most businesses are feeling optimistic. We now need to make sure conditions are in place to help business grow, including the effective recruitment of young talent.

“Students leaving colleges or university can be incredibly skilled.”

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