Graduates are needed to join City firms to prevent a skills shortage.Despite the drop in the number of university-leavers hoping to work in the City, the government has said it must work with businesses to attract new blood into the financial sector with a focus on on-the-job-training.Personnel Today reports the Financial Services Global Competitiveness Group, co-chaired by chancellor Alistair Darling and with leading City bosses as members, warned many skilled practitioners were set to leave the sector in the next decade."It is therefore important to maintain the professional standing of the industry as an attractive place to work for the next generation of school-leavers and graduates," it stated.The report said universities and the financial industry should work closely to promote relevant skills and careers and there should be a focus on financial literacy and skills at school, with City firms and education authorities forming partnerships to provide on-the-job training. The number of secondments may also be increased between industry, government, adademia and regulators.