In contemporary society, there are still young people choosing to enrol in work-based training instead of attending university. This essay will discuss both the advantages and disadvantages of this situation and include my own opinion.
Although in almost every country plenty of young people attend university instead of choosing to enrol in work-based training, there are also various groups of young people choosing the second option. Multiple reasons exist for choosing work-based training. For instance, the occupation they want may not require a university degree but may require practical, work-based skills. Alternatively, young people who choose the second option may want to earn money earlier and do not want to spend several years attending university. In addition, some young people might want to avoid tuition and accommodation costs or learn specific skills and create their own businesses based on technical skills rather than theoretical knowledge.
In my opinion, both the disadvantages and the advantages depend on the profession that young people choose. A baking course will focus on learning through practice, whereas a medical degree will focus on memorisation and acquiring medical knowledge. Universities do not only provide education; they also create a social environment for their students. Thus, students can learn and socialise at the same time. When it comes to work-based training, learners may have social circles too, but they may not have access to the same social opportunities, such as events, places and activities supported by universities. They may also lack some theoretical knowledge. Nevertheless, from the trainees’ perspective, they would develop more practical skills, as they tend to learn better by watching and practising rather than studying theory.
In conclusion, I believe that both work-based training and university education have their own benefits and disadvantages, and the better option can change depending on people’s preferences and career choices.