Bosses have called on bright kids to study science to avert a skills crisis that could hit future economic prospects.

The CBI, the employers’ organisation with an office in Kent, is worried that the diminishing number of young people taking science could harm Britain’s economic prospects.

Huge planned investment in energy and combating climate change over the next few decades will need many engineers and scientists.

Kent and Medway are targeting hi-tech "knowledge" jobs and business leaders fear there will not be enough young people with the right skills.

The CBI says all GCSE students should be automatically entered for Triple Science.

This GCSE covers physics, chemistry and biology, and is worth three GCSEs, but is taken by just seven per cent of 16-year-olds. The rest take the less comprehensive Double or Single-GCSE combined science.

Speaking shortly after A Level results were announced, and a few days before students are told their GCSE grades, Malcolm Hyde, the Sevenoaks-based CBI South East regional director, said: "Young people are missing out. They are doing better than ever in science tests at 14, but hardly any are going on to study Triple science GCSE, despite the opportunities and learning it offers.

"We need to create an environment in schools that reflects the importance of science, and the value of studying it. We also need to send an unambiguous message to young people who are good at science that science as a career can be fascinating and worthwhile, and will reward you well."

Mr Hyde said more specialist science teachers would be needed, as well as more investment in equipment and labs.

"The Government must also accelerate the pace of its £45 billion programme to improve school buildings and labs. Only 13 of the planned 100 schools by 2009 have been opened. We need effective and focused leadership to speed up this investment."

The Government has promised that from September students getting Level 6 or above in their science SATs will be "entitled" to study Triple science.

However, the CBI believes further steps need to be taken, including automatically entry to Triple science GCSE.

It argues that it provides a better preparation for science at A-level, and opens doors to new and exciting future career opportunities.

It claims the policy would affect approximately 250,000 14-year olds each year – the 40 per cent who get Level 6 or above in their key stage 3 SATs.