Many U.S. employers believe colleges are not adequately preparing students for jobs, according to findings from the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.

The group surveyed more than 1,000 employers in various industries in November, 2011 about whether job applicants possess the skills to succeed in the workplace. More than half of the employers said finding qualified applicants is difficult, and just under half thought students should receive specific workplace training rather than a more broad-based education.

According to the survey results, less than 10 percent of employers thought colleges did an “excellent” job of preparing students for work. On all hiring criteria included in the survey, such as adaptability and critical thinking, graduates were performing below employers’ expectations.