This is an IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay related to the topic of skills and vocational training or university education from the real IELTS exam.
It is a very common kind of question and these topics also come up a lot.
Be sure that you check out my exclusive IELTS Ebooks and materials on Patreon here (and recommend a friend if you can!).
Dave
IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer Essay: Skills and Vocational Training
Nations should spend more money on skills and vocational training for practical work, rather than on university education.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Real Past IELTS Exam
Many today feel that countries should prioritise vocational training over higher education due to changes in the labour market. In my opinion, though there are strong economic reasons to support this idea, university education holds greater value.
Those in favour of more practical skills training point out the financial benefits. Most university graduates are burdened with student debt and face uncertain job prospects. In contrast, training schools are cheap, fast, and ease students into steady employment immediately. The jobs they train for are also most likely recession-proof and durable, including positions as cooks, hotel managers, and skilled technicians. Someone who is firmly established in such a job in their early 20s does not have to deal with the pressures associated with university life and its incumbent debts. Instead, they can begin to set aside money for a house or start a family.
Nonetheless, lacking a university degree limits one’s options. The jobs available will pay well initially and be secure but offer narrow scope for advancement and virtually no opportunity to switch career paths. An individual with a university degree, on the other hand, might begin from a lower position but has a higher ceiling on future earnings. It is also possible for them to explore a variety of fields. Most good jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree even for simple internship vacancies. Lacking such a degree, means restricting oneself to manual labour or service industry jobs. The actual learning that takes place at university, particularly for those with multi-disciplinary majors or studying at liberal arts schools, also encourages students to consider a wide range of possible career options.
In conclusion, increasing funding for vocational training is an attractive yet short-sighted approach that curbs possibilities. Governments ought to continue to support higher education even in dark economic times in order to reap future rewards.
Analysis
1. Many today feel that countries should prioritise vocational training over higher education due to changes in the labour market. 2. In my opinion, though there are strong economic reasons to support this idea, university education holds greater value.
- Paraphrase the overall topic for the essay.
- Give a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.
1. Those in favour of more practical skills training point out the financial benefits. 2. Most university graduates are burdened with student debt and face uncertain job prospects. 3. In contrast, training schools are cheap, fast, and ease students into steady employment immediately. 4. The jobs they train for are also most likely recession-proof and durable, including positions as cooks, hotel managers, and skilled technicians. 5. Someone who is firmly established in such a job in their early 20s does not have to deal with the pressures associated with university life and its incumbent debts. 6. Instead, they can begin to set aside money for a house or start a family.
- Write a clear topic sentence with a main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea.
- Use specific details to develop your main idea.
- Include specific examples.
- State the full results.
- Continue detailing the results.
1. Nonetheless, lacking a university degree limits one’s options. 2. The jobs available will pay well initially and be secure but offer narrow scope for advancement and virtually no opportunity to switch career paths. 3. An individual with a university degree, on the other hand, might begin from a lower position but has a higher ceiling on future earnings. 4. It is also possible for them to explore a variety of fields. 5. Most good jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree even for simple internship vacancies. 6. Lacking such a degree, means restricting oneself to manual labour or service industry jobs. 7. The actual learning that takes place at university, particularly for those with multi-disciplinary majors or studying at liberal arts schools, also encourages students to consider a wide range of possible career options.
- Write another topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain your main idea again.
- Use a hypothetical example if you don’t know a real one.
- Vary your long and short sentences.
- Keep developing the same main idea.
- Using counter-points to make your argument stronger.
- State the full results and add in any more development for the same main idea.
1. In conclusion, increasing funding for vocational training is an attractive yet short-sighted approach that curbs possibilities. 2. Governments ought to continue to support higher education even in dark economic times in order to reap future rewards.
- Summarise your main ideas and repeat your opinion.
- Add a final thought/detail. Learn more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean?
Many today feel that countries should prioritise vocational training over higher education due to changes in the labour market. In my opinion, though there are strong economic reasons to support this idea, university education holds greater value.
Those in favour of more practical skills training point out the financial benefits. Most university graduates are burdened with student debt and face uncertain job prospects. In contrast, training schools are cheap, fast, and ease students into steady employment immediately. The jobs they train for are also most likely recession-proof and durable, including positions as cooks, hotel managers, and skilled technicians. Someone who is firmly established in such a job in their early 20s does not have to deal with the pressures associated with university life and its incumbent debts. Instead, they can begin to set aside money for a house or start a family.
Nonetheless, lacking a university degree limits one’s options. The jobs available will pay well initially and be secure but offer narrow scope for advancement and virtually no opportunity to switch career paths. An individual with a university degree, on the other hand, might begin from a lower position but has a higher ceiling on future earnings. It is also possible for them to explore a variety of fields. Most good jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree even for simple internship vacancies. Lacking such a degree, means restricting oneself to manual labour or service industry jobs. The actual learning that takes place at university, particularly for those with multi-disciplinary majors or studying at liberal arts schools, also encourages students to consider a wide range of possible career options.
In conclusion, increasing funding for vocational training is an attractive yet short-sighted approach that curbs possibilities. Governments ought to continue to support higher education even in dark economic times in order to reap future rewards.
Answers
prioritise vocational training focus more on skilled training
higher education university
labour market jobs and employment
strong economic reasons good financial justifications
holds greater value has more importance
practical skills training vocational training for jobs such as cook, electrician, etc.
financial benefits monetary advantages
burdened with student debt have lots of money to pay back
face uncertain job prospects may struggle to get work
in contrast however
ease without effort
steady employment good job
recession-proof can survive difficult economic times
durable secure
skilled technicians electricians, plumbers, IT people
firmly established secure
deal with handle
pressures associated with stress related to
incumbent debts money owed that comes along with uni
set aside money save money
lacking not having
limits one’s options not as many choices
pay well initially make good salary at the beginning
secure safe
narrow scope not diverse, limited
virtually essentially
switch career paths find a new kind of job
university degree bachelor’s degree, masters, etc.
on the other hand however
lower position not as high up
higher ceiling on future earnings cap on what you can make in the future
explore look through
variety of fields lots of different jobs, areas
require at least must have at minimum
internship vacancies open unpaid jobs
restricting limiting
manual labour jobs that require hard work
service industry jobs hotels, restaurants, etc.
multi-disciplinary majors studying more than one subject
liberal arts schools schools where you focus on many subjects
encourages inspires
consider think about
wide range of possible career options many choices for a job
attractive appealing
short-sighted approach not a good long-term strategy
curbs possibilities limits choices
dark economic times when the economy is poor
reap future rewards get a lot out of it later
Pronunciation
praɪˈɒrɪˌtaɪz vəʊˈkeɪʃənl ˈtreɪnɪŋ
ˈhaɪər ˌɛdju(ː)ˈkeɪʃən
ˈleɪbə ˈmɑːkɪt
strɒŋ ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ˈriːznz
həʊldz ˈgreɪtə ˈvæljuː
ˈpræktɪkəl skɪlz ˈtreɪnɪŋ
faɪˈnænʃəl ˈbɛnɪfɪts
ˈbɜːdnd wɪð ˈstjuːdənt dɛt
feɪs ʌnˈsɜːtn ʤɒb ˈprɒspɛkts
ɪn ˈkɒntrɑːst
iːz
ˈstɛdi ɪmˈplɔɪmənt
rɪˈsɛʃən-pruːf
ˈdjʊərəbl
skɪld tɛkˈnɪʃənz
ˈfɜːmli ɪsˈtæblɪʃt
diːl wɪð
ˈprɛʃəz əˈsəʊʃɪeɪtɪd wɪð
ɪnˈkʌmbənt dɛts
sɛt əˈsaɪd ˈmʌni
ˈlækɪŋ
ˈlɪmɪts wʌnz ˈɒpʃənz
peɪ wɛl ɪˈnɪʃəli
sɪˈkjʊə
ˈnærəʊ skəʊp
ˈvɜːtjʊəli
swɪʧ kəˈrɪə pɑːðz
ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsɪti dɪˈgriː
ɒn ði ˈʌðə hænd
ˈləʊə pəˈzɪʃən
ˈhaɪə ˈsiːlɪŋ ɒn ˈfjuːʧər ˈɜːnɪŋz
ɪksˈplɔː
vəˈraɪəti ɒv fiːldz
rɪˈkwaɪər æt liːst
ˈɪntɜːnʃɪp ˈveɪkənsiz
rɪsˈtrɪktɪŋ
ˈmænjʊəl ˈleɪbə
ˈsɜːvɪs ˈɪndəstri ʤɒbz
ˈmʌltɪ-ˈdɪsɪplɪnəri ˈmeɪʤəz
ˈlɪbərəl ɑːts skuːlz
ɪnˈkʌrɪʤɪz
kənˈsɪdə
waɪd reɪnʤ ɒv ˈpɒsəbl kəˈrɪər ˈɒpʃənz
əˈtræktɪv
ʃɔːt-ˈsaɪtɪd əˈprəʊʧ
kɜːbz ˌpɒsəˈbɪlɪtiz
dɑːk ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk taɪmz
riːp ˈfjuːʧə rɪˈwɔːdz
Vocabulary Practice
Remember and fill in the blanks:
Many today feel that countries should p__________________________g over h______________________n due to changes in the l__________________t. In my opinion, though there are s_________________________s to support this idea, university education h____________________e.
Those in favour of more p________________________g point out the f_________________________s. Most university graduates are b__________________________t and f__________________________s. I_______________t, training schools are cheap, fast, and e_____e students into s________________________t immediately. The jobs they train for are also most likely r__________________f and d____________e, including positions as cooks, hotel managers, and s____________________s. Someone who is f_______________________d in such a job in their early 20s does not have to d______________h the p______________________h university life and its i_______________________s. Instead, they can begin to s__________________y for a house or start a family.
Nonetheless, l___________g a university degree l______________________s. The jobs available will p____________________y and be s__________e but offer n__________________e for advancement and v____________y no opportunity to s_____________________s. An individual with a u___________________e, o_______________________d, might begin from a l_______________n but has a h_____________________________s. It is also possible for them to e___________e a v____________________s. Most good jobs r_________________t a bachelor’s degree even for simple i_____________________s. Lacking such a degree, means r______________g oneself to m______________r or s_________________________s. The actual learning that takes place at university, particularly for those with m_________________________s or studying at l______________________s, also e______________s students to c____________r a w_____________________________________s.
In conclusion, increasing funding for vocational training is an a______________e yet s_________________________h that c________________________s. Governments ought to continue to support higher education even in d______________________s in order to r_______________________s.
Listening Practice
Listen about training in the United States and Germany below from The New York Times YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Sun5FS6VKw
and here about this exact topic:
Reading Practice
Read more about this same topic from The Atlantic:
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2009/06/skip-college-and-get-a-job/20009/
Speaking Practice
Practice speaking with the following topics from the IELTS speaking test:
Work
- Do you work or are you a student?
- What do you like about your work?
- What has changed at your work since you started?
- Do you like to work in the morning or afternoon?
Writing Practice
Write about the following related topic and check with my sample answer:
Full-time university students spend a lot of time studying. Some say they should do other activities too.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
IELTS Writing Exam
Hi Dave,
The question was to what extent do u agree or disagree. But you are explaining both the views. Shouldn’t it be only a one-sided essay?
I think if the question was ” Do you agree or disagree you must explain just one side of the argument. As it says to what extend, I think you can express what other people’s opinions but not yours. That’s the reason Dave says ” those in favour” it’s not his opinion. Hope it is clear. Thanks
Thanks!
It is argued by many people that the countries must provide more skilled drill and should spend less on tertiary education. This essay agrees that more funds should be given for imparting work training as it will create more jobs and people tend to stay in their home country.
To commence with, it is quite evident that by giving job-specific training, young people will tend to obtain more jobs through these occupational-related practices. To illustrate, many students, who cannot afford to pay the university fees, seek professional instruction after completing their school and prepare themselves for work. It not only gives them confidence but ensures economic stability in their lives. Moreover, some children due to lack of jobs move to foreign countries, which leads to brain drain in the countries, as the overwhelming majority of the educated millennial shift to other countries.
Furthermore, due to the soaring fees for research or higher studies, students’ resort to easy courses which help them not only in securing a job, but also give them financial stability. For instance, in India, the government has started a vocational training program in schools, which promise a secured work to the students.
To conclude, it is clear that the benefits of work-related training programs, outweigh the disadvantages, by providing more employment to the youth, however, merits associated with university education such as research work should not be ignored. Thus, the government should fund short-term training on the one hand, but also promote higher education for the brighter future of the country.
Many countries are undetermined to where they spend most of their money in terms of education. Others believe that vocational training should receive more financial support instead of higher education. I strongly disagree with this belief because having a degree is more advantageous for students.
Those who argue in favor of skills training typically focus on monetary objectives. Financial instability is the primary reason why this program is popular. Also, it is believed that if individuals finished their vocational studies, they can instantly find a job. Electronics, welding, manufacturing, and other skilled tasks are examples of programs that people are taking. When people learn specific tasks in just a short period, it could allow them to find jobs easily. Thus, nations should come to the idea that giving attention to this field is a way of reducing the burden of their financial dilemma.
However, higher education is much important if a person is aiming for a long-term goal. A degree is an instrument that gives an edge to find a better job. Although university graduates can indeed have a low starting salary, it will eventually increase as they gain experience. For instance, several companies nowadays, such as call centers, hospitals, and offices, are searching for applicants that have a bachelor’s degree and professionals. The salary offer could be insufficient but their job could become satisfying as time progresses, in terms of learning and career growth. For this reason, university education is far more efficient for a better future.
In conclusion, although vocational courses are more striking and economical, I believe that countries should invest more in university education as it gives people bigger chances to succeed.
Good work, Jessica – seems you are one of the hardest working students I know!
are undetermined about whether or not to, (some good accuracy in this writing), careful with over-using linking expressions in your writing – it makes it sound a little robotic, is a far better option for the future.
Dear Dave,
Thanking you for your time, I have an issue with the following:
“In contrast, training schools are cheap, fast, and ease students into steady employment immediately.”
Doesn’t it have to be “cheap AND fast, and ease students…”, for the first “and” connects parallel nouns and second connect “ease and are” as two verbs?
Thank you again
Yes, you are correct that would be another way to write it – both are correct but yours maintains the parallel structure more clearly. Thanks Hooshmand!
Yes I do wanna join
What would you like to join, Rohit?
The question represents the general opinion that vocational courses ought to be considered at prior to spend an extensive amount of money instead of university education. In my opinion, spending money on vocational courses is a healthy approach; if the budget on the university education gets minimized, thereby increasing the expenditure on vocational courses then it is explicitly unethical and can never be appreciable as university courses are also necessarily needed to grow country numerously; it is a must to balance budget impartially on the vocational training and university education to ensure the holistic development.
Undoubtedly, society needs decorators, plumbers, electricians, painters, car repairers, hairdressers, and many more to run system smoothly. To exemplify, painters are needed to paint houses. Likewise, electricians are required to repair electrical appliances: fans, refrigerators, and many more. The vocational courses result in making people able to open small scale businesses and earn money sufficiently to sustain their survival. Apart from this, undeniably, globalization has break down boundaries for skilled people to work globally; the people good plumber, electrician, car mechanic and painter get opportunity to work in alien countries. For example, Dubai, Singapore, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Malaysia are the countries in which skilled workers are widely welcomed.
However, if the abundant amount of money is expended on vocational courses particularly than that of university education then it would be unjustifiable because university education is majorly advantageous for society to ensure the massive existence of white-collar people predominantly: doctors, engineers, teachers, and lawyers; if there would be the lack of doctors, teachers, engineers in society, then how would it be possible to cure and teach a large number of people or even make bridges and buildings? Chiefly, university education assists individuals to be part of certain respectable professions: teaching, engineering, medical and ultimately earn a good amount of money along with dignity. So, impartiality is compulsory to spending money equally on vocational training and university education for the comprehensive development.
In conclusion, in my opinion, it is fine to expend money on vocational courses; it is also obligatory to allocate budget on the university education without any prejudice then it would not be unfair. Otherwise, it would be unjustifiable as university courses are also significant for the betterment of country; it is a must to divide budget similarly on the vocational training and university education to develop nation holistically.