Many years ago when  I did my studying, it was on a day release basis, and I remember to this day the  comments from various employers at the time that they preferred to employ someone who had gained their qualifications that way rather than though full-time education, as they ‘slotted into the work’ far better than someone coming from pure education.

It seems that still rings true today, for without experience, companies don't want to know, as the writer confirms in his letter (Catch-22, Letters blog, letters computing.co.uk).

Back in my days at college, in the 1960s and 1970s, we had the problems of academia being out of touch with industry and from what the writers of your letters say today, it appears that no one has learned the lessons over the years.

If we are to move forward then maybe it's time employers and academia sat down together and resolved the issues. Remember, it's never too late to  learn.

Alan Wiseman