I'd try to write a recommendation that says what you say here, tactfully... "Amazing people skills and motivation, with the intelligence to learn the more technical aspects of the job if given some training." Assuming you think he actually could learn it, of course.

That's the key question: do you think he could learn it, with support and training? I think it would be no problem to recommend him with that caveat. But if you thought the technical skills were a lost cause with this person, it might be better to write the lukewarm kind of recommendation that whispers 'not your best hire.'

Since you did like the person overall, maybe write the recommendation in keeping with your honest evaluation, as BoPo suggests, and give it to the former intern to use or not use, as he or she sees fit. I write a lot of college recommendations for my students, and I only write them if I can be positive. Otherwise, I gently recommend they ask someone else. I also always give it to the student, even if they've signed-off on not reading it on their applications; I don't want them wondering what I said.

I've had to write this sort of recommendation and I handled it pretty much as above. Told the student that I hadn't had an opportunity to assess her [important skill needed for the job] but that I was more than willing to recommend her on [list of strengths here]. If she felt comfortable knowing that my recommendation would include that caveat, I was happy to write it.

Or do you mean he needs Skill Level 5 and you've observed that he's only Skill Level 3? And you're not sure he could attain Skill Level 5? In that case, I would modify the recommendation slightly to say that I recommend the student on [list of strengths here], but that his tasks for our organization did not require that high a technical skill level and I could not comment on his abilities in that area.

crush, that is an excellent answer!

Indeed, it is a very professional and well handled answer. I'm cribbin' like mad!

Crush, that wording is perfect! Thanks.

gosh, thanks for the votes of confidence, folks. /blush

In my organization, I have always advocated for hiring of good people over hiring of skilled people. People can always learn skills, if they want to. But being a crappy person is harder to change.

I emailed back with highly positive accurate comments, and had a brief telephone chat w/ the recruiter. On the question about technical skill, paraphrased with: skills were appropriate for the tasks required; our position didn't need more.

They've had over-qualified tech people leave because they needed more challenge. Intern may do just fine. Yay, thanks, y'all.