The president of the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland last week demanded an overhaul of careers programmes to reverse the "unacceptably high" rate of college drop-outs.

One student in every five was leaving his or her degree course early and more than one in three was packing in technician courses, said CCI president Tom Clarke.

Clarke, who is also on the governing body of Tallaght IT, said one of the main reasons for students dropping out was a poor understanding of what exactly their course involved.

It was estimated that drop-outs were costing the state £35 million a year and the phenomenon also carried a price for students affected and their parents, he said. "We must urgently review our career-guidance service," said Clarke. "For too long, quality career guidance has been considered complementary rather than integral to the education service provided to our students.

"A well-resourced career guidance function in touch with the current and future trends in the labour market is needed in all schools around the country to ensure that students are enabled to make the right choices on their future."

Clarke also called for education chiefs, businesses and the Government to work more closely to ensure that education was accessible, affordable and relevant to the changing needs of the economy.