IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic:
Many people go to university for academic study. More people should be encouraged to do vocational training because there is a lack of qualified workers such as electricians and plumbers. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Identifying the essay type: Agree or Disagree
Structuring the essay:
Many young people study academic subjects at university. This is necessary, but more vocational training is also needed.
Paragraph 1: two reasons why more vocationally-trained workers are required:
 electricians, plumbers and other trades are vital when building are constructed or need maintenance – example: schools, hospitals, museums – safety of public buildings in general.
 too many academic graduates in some countries – resulting in graduate unemployment.
Paragraph 2: more vocational training must be provided to meet society’s needs.
 schools must take changes in the curriculum and provide workshops to teach practical skills.
 Parents should encourage their children to consider learning a skilled trade as a good alternative to university, with good job prospects when they qualify.
Repeat using some different words.
BAND 8.0+ SAMPLE ANSWER:
It is true that many people prefer to pursue academic studies at university rather than to follow a vocational training course. While nobody can deny the need for university graduates, I totally agree that we should encourage more people to qualify as electricians, plumbers or other essential manual workers.
There are two important reasons why more workers must be trained in skilled professions such as plumbing or electrical work. Firstly, such workers are vital when new buildings are constructed or when existing buildings have to be renovated or simply maintained. Indeed, in many countries, a permanent maintenance staff of skilled tradesmen is employed in hospitals, schools or museums, ensuring the safety of all who use the buildings. Secondly, in some developed countries, there is an existing imbalance in the economy, resulting in graduate unemployment, while at the same time there is a shortage of skilled labour. Governments in those countries need, therefore, to work with employers to ensure that extra vocational training is provided.
More people must be encouraged to attend vocational training courses. The onus is on schools in incorporate relevant subjects into the curriculum, so that not all the emphasis is placed on preparation for academic study at university. Many boys and girls are not academically inclined, bit this does not mean that schools should consider them as failures. For example, workshops in schools could provide an opportunity to learn ‘hands-on skills’, adapting the theory of the physics lessons to practical applications. Parents should also help their children to choose vocational careers, explaining the good employment prospects and remuneration for manual workers with qualifications and skills.
In conclusion, I agree that it is vital that we encourage more people to do vocational training because without such skilled workers, society cannot function effectively.
- Other essential manual workers
- Permanent maintenance staff
- Skilled tradesmen
- Hands-on skills
- Employment prospects
Hope you can find this post intriguing. Try to practice writing every day to improve your writing skills. You can find more tips and lessons about the IELTS test on ieltsmaterial.com. Don’t forget “Practice makes perfect”.
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