The calibre of recent graduates is “consistently” poor, according to Gary Ashworth, executive chairman of IT recruiter InterQuest. Ashworth says the firm has spent the last three months seeking to fill 50 positions and has only found five suitable recruits. Ashworth says: “The calibre of recent graduates is consistently poor and I’m gravely concerned about the lack of skills with which graduates are leaving university. The awkward gulf between a graduate’s theoretical knowledge and the practical experience required to survive in today’s working environment is increasing and most are leaving university with few ’real life’ skills. At InterQuest we want passionate and enthusiastic consultants and we’re tired of interviewing clueless and unmotivated graduates who are unconcerned with any sort of career progression and fear to look too far into their own future.”