The big question: Do IT graduates make the best recruits?

Do IT graduates make the best recruits?

30% Yes

70% No

The Big Question is an initiative between Computer Weekly and recruitment consultancy PSD. Each week we put the Big Question to top IT professionals to get their take on a current talking point.

This year's IT graduates are about to enter the labour market, but what are their prospects? Much more is likely to be expected of IT recruits than simple technical expertise, as this week's Big Question poll emphasises.

Despite the finding that 70% of IT professionals do not believe IT graduates make the best recruits, respondents emphasised the need for a balanced approach to recruiting staff.

"You need different types of people on any team that complement one another," said a senior IT manager at a publishing company.

"It is important for those non-graduates that they have a well-defined training programme that majors on high-level skills, building knowledge of IT Infrastructure Library for instance, while those with a more structured educational background may need to focus on interpersonal skills and customer focus.

"The important thing is to get a good mix and continue to invest in your people. Without that, any IT department is doomed."

A project manager at engineering company BAE Systems agreed. "IT graduates are not always the best option. It depends purely on the level of experience and specialism that you require. Individual factors and circumstances should also be accounted for," he said.