Regional business leaders are calling for new vocational diplomas for 14 to 19 years olds to be given equal value to 'A' Levels in a bid to encourage more students into business careers.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) says that the diplomas, which are being introduced from September, combine theoretic study with practical experience which they believe will help to encourage entrepreneurship and better prepare students for the workplace.

Ken Moon, Chairman of the Wessex region of the FSB, said: "The FSB still values A-Levels but we hope to see the new diplomas and work-based training on a par otherwise students will be less likely to take them as an alternative route to their chosen careers. Giving these new qualifications an equal status could encourage the entrepreneurs of the future."

Only a quarter of small business owners have a degree (27.7 per cent) with nearly half (48.4 per cent) having GCSE or equivalent and professional qualifications instead. An eighth of entrepreneurs (12.7 per cent) have no formal qualifications at all.

"It will be suitable for some students who have passed their A-levels to go on to Higher Education but other equally successful students will already have their entrepreneurial ideas ready for action.

"The new vocational qualification may be just what some young people need. Many of the country's successful entrepreneurs did not go to university and it could be better for some that they their ideas into fruition and start up their own businesses instead," added Mr Moon.