When it comes to graduate recruitment, the public sector has a head start on private enterprise (IT graduate demand defies slump, 14 July).

The Cabinet Office's graduate recruitment programme has long attracted talented candidates with an interest in business and technical issues, a drive that doesn't need to be based on specific academic achievement.

However, it seems private business lags behind, believing that graduates offer the wrong mix of IT and consulting skills. How do they expect candidates to develop these attributes when they've spent the past three years studying for a degree?

Businesses need to realise that graduates can be developed into well-rounded consultants. Treated as blank canvases, with strong commitment and academic dedication, graduates should turn into the most capable employees.

Even in the economic downturn the war for graduate talent is alive and well. Sensible recruitment at graduate level followed by careful training and management is essential to prevent future IT skills shortages.

Alwyn Welch, Parity Group