# Youth unemployment: causes and solutions: IELTS Writing Task 2 samples Writing Task 2 - Work In many countries, young people find it hard to get a job after finishing their education. What are the causes of this problem, and what can be done to solve it? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words. Source: Sample answers and examiner notes are written by Testmigo. ## Band 6 sample Today many young people cannot find a job after they finish their school or university. This is a big problem for them and also for the society. In this essay I will discuss the reasons of this problem and some ways to solve it. The main reason is experience. Most companies want to hire people who already have some work experience, but young graduates do not have it. It is like a circle, because you cannot get experience without job and you cannot get job without experience. For example, my cousin finished her business degree two years ago and she applied for many jobs, but almost every company asked for two years experience. Another reason is that what students learn in university is not what companies need. Many students choose a subject because it is interesting, not because companies need it, and after graduation they find there is not many jobs connected to their degree. Also, now companies use computers and machines for simple jobs, so there are less jobs for beginners. To solve this problem, there are some solutions. First, the government should give money to companies which hire young people, so companies will be more interested to hire them. Second, universities should work together with companies and teach the skills that companies want, for example computer skills and communication skills. Third, students should do internship during their study so they can get experience before they graduate. In conclusion, young people find difficult to get a job because they do not have experience, their studies are not useful for the companies and there are less simple jobs. I believe if government, universities and companies work together, this problem can be solved and young people will have a better future. **Examiner notes.** This Band 6 essay covers both causes and solutions, and the cousin's job search is a relevant example of the experience problem. However, the solutions are listed in a different order from the causes and are justified only by a short clause each, so the reader must work out how each one would help. Linking is mechanical ("First", "Second", "Third"), and errors such as "reasons of", "there is not many jobs", "less jobs" and "find difficult to" are noticeable, although meaning stays clear. For Band 7, each measure should be developed and linked to a cause. ## Band 7 sample In many parts of the world, young people leave school or university with good qualifications but struggle to find their first job. This essay will argue that the problem stems mainly from a lack of work experience and a gap between education and the needs of employers, and that closer cooperation between schools, businesses and governments is the best solution. The most common obstacle is the familiar trap of needing experience to get a job, but needing a job to gain experience. Employers are often reluctant to train new staff, so they prefer candidates who can be productive immediately, which puts school leavers and fresh graduates at an obvious disadvantage. A further cause is that many courses do not teach the practical skills employers are looking for. A graduate may have a strong theoretical knowledge of economics, for instance, yet have little experience of teamwork, presenting ideas or using industry software. In addition, some routine entry-level positions, such as data entry, have been automated, which reduces the number of starting points in many careers. There are several ways to address these problems. Firstly, governments could expand apprenticeship schemes and encourage companies to offer paid internships, allowing young people to gain experience while earning a wage. Secondly, universities and colleges should involve employers in designing courses, and careers advice should begin much earlier, so that students understand which skills are in demand before they choose a subject. Finally, tax reductions for companies that hire first-time workers could make employers more willing to take a chance on young applicants. In conclusion, youth unemployment is largely caused by a lack of experience and a mismatch between education and the job market. If education providers and employers work more closely together, with support from governments, young people will find the move from study to work far less difficult. **Examiner notes.** This Band 7 essay presents a clear position from the introduction to the conclusion, and the first two causes are explained with useful detail, such as the economics graduate who lacks teamwork and software skills. The solutions follow the order of the causes. However, the point about automation and the tax incentive are each covered briefly, and the essay does not explain why these measures would succeed. A Band 8 essay would develop every point and show how each solution removes the cause it targets. The Band 8 and 9 samples are free with an account on the [topic page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/writing/topics/task-2/youth-unemployment). ## Common questions ### How many words should I write? At least 150 words for Task 1 and 250 for Task 2. Writing a little more is fine; an answer under the minimum loses marks. ### Can I use these sample answers in my test? No. Memorised material is marked down and you will not get this exact question. Use the samples to see what each band does with the same task.