'Poor' graduate skills turn off recruiters

A significant proportion of recruiters feel the skills levels of graduate recruits are below company requirements.

Four out of 10 recruiters quizzed as part of UK sector skills council e-skills UK's ICT Inquiry said business, non-technical and interpersonal skills are lacking in new graduates, suggesting a skills shortage continues to trouble UK companies looking to recruit new graduates into IT roles.

Nearly one in five employers (18 per cent) feel gaps in technical skills are reasons for not employing new graduates, while 13 per cent said the same about communication skills.

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There were also skills gaps reported for existing IT workers, with 27 per cent of employers describing the level of business skills and other non-technical skills as 'poor' or 'very poor'.

The research follows recent warnings the UK must improve its IT skills base to remain competitive.

e-skills UK CEO Karen Price said employer concerns need to be addressed to encourage them to recruit recent graduates.

Price said employers want a blend of technical, business and personal skills from graduates and added e-skills UK is working with universities to offer more business-oriented technology degree courses.

The e-skills UK ICT Inquiry surveyed 1,000 individuals involved in IT recruitment and development.