Lee from City University also agreed with these complaints. He said the university realizes most technical program graduates lack knowledge in three major areas: functional business knowledge, like marketing or basic accounting skills, industry knowledge, and communication and organization skills.

While these are core courses in the Faculty of Business, most science and technical programs do not require students to take these classes. To help close this gap in the industry, Lee said universities are introducing more communication and business knowledge courses as electives for IT students.

With education reform scheduled for 2012, tertiary education will be extended from a three-year to a four-year program and universities will be able to introduce multiple-disciplinary schemes, said Lee. With more time available in tertiary education, students are able to take more courses, thus encouraging students to acquire a double major, like engineering and business, to help graduates acquire better skill-sets.

Searching for geeks

Identifying technical and communication skills are essential for employers, but Lee from Towngas noted there is never a perfect match. "Very often, technical skills are not the major criteria, as long as the applicants are willing to learn," he added.