The percentage of employers in various sectors having difficulty in finding staff in 2003 and 2004.
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 - Table

IELTS Writing Task 1 Question
The table below shows the percentage of employers in various sectors having difficulty in finding staff in 2003 and 2004. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant

Common questions for the employer difficulty in finding staff table
1. Graph Type: Table.
2. Title: Employers’ Difficulty in Finding Staff in Various Sectors (2003 and 2004).
3. What are the units of measurement?: Percentage of employers.
4. Who: Employers in different sectors (manufacturing, building, commerce, and services).
5. When: Years 2003 and 2004.
6. Where: Various sectors (manufacturing, building, commerce, and services).
7. Topic: The table compares the percentage of employers facing difficulties in finding employees in various sectors in 2003 and 2004.
Comparison Showing and Trends
Comparison 1 : Skilled Workers
- Skilled workers were the most challenging to find across all sectors, with 41-47% of employers in manufacturing, building, commerce, and services facing difficulty in 2003. This percentage increased slightly in 2004, except for the commerce sector, where it decreased.
Comparison 2 : Popularity of Feature Films
- Employers found it hard to find unskilled labour, with 20-26% in 2003. This percentage rose in all sectors except for commerce, where it dropped to 19% in 2004.
Comparison 3 : Technical and Managerial Staff
- The technical and managerial staff shortage was the least problematic, with the construction sector facing the highest difficulty (14%) in 2003. This percentage decreased by 4% in 2004. Other sectors like manufacturing, services, and commerce saw a decrease in difficulties as well.
Sample Answer
The table illustrates the percentage of employers in various sectors who faced difficulties hiring staff in 2003 and 2004. A closer look at the table shows that skilled workers were the most difficult to find, while technical and managerial staff were the least problematic.
In 2003, employers in manufacturing, building, commerce, and services faced similar difficulties in finding skilled workers, with percentages ranging from 41% to 47%. The shortage of skilled workers slightly increased in all sectors, except in commerce, where the percentage decreased in 2004. Unskilled labour posed a challenge for 20-26% of employers in 2003, and the percentage increased across sectors, except in commerce, where it dropped to 19%.
The shortage of technical and managerial staff was the least significant. The construction sector had the highest percentage of employers (14%) struggling to find technical and managerial staff in 2003, but this figure decreased by 4% in 2004. Other sectors saw a decline in difficulties as well.
Overall, the commerce sector experienced the least difficulty finding staff in 2003 and 2004.
Top 26 Vocabulary
Vocabulary | Meaning | Synonyms | Examples | Type |
Difficulty | The state of being hard to achieve | Challenge, problem | “Employers in all sectors faced difficulty in finding skilled workers.” | Noun |
Shortage | A situation where there is not enough of something | Deficiency, lack | “The shortage of skilled workers was evident in almost all sectors.” | Noun |
Unskilled | Lacking specific skills or training | Inexperienced, non-specialized | “Unskilled labour was harder to find in many sectors in 2003.” | Adjective |
Technical | Related to a specific skill or field | Specialized, professional | “Finding technical staff was easier than finding skilled workers.” | Adjective |
Commerce | The activity of buying and selling | Trade, business | “The commerce sector faced the least difficulty in hiring staff in both years.” | Noun |
Encountered |
To come upon or face something |
Faced, experienced |
“Employers encountered challenges in hiring skilled workers.” |
Verb |
Rise |
An increase in something |
Growth, surge |
“The rise in unskilled labour shortages was notable in several sectors.” |
Noun |
Decline |
A decrease in number, quality, or amount |
Drop, reduction |
“There was a decline in difficulties in finding technical staff.” |
Noun/Verb |
Significant |
Important or noteworthy in effect or size |
Notable, considerable |
“Skilled workers were the most significant challenge for employers.” |
Adjective |
Struggled |
To have difficulty or be in a challenging situation |
Had trouble, found it hard |
“Employers struggled to find skilled workers in manufacturing and building.” |
Verb |
Percentage |
A portion of a whole, expressed in hundredths |
Proportion, share |
“The percentage of employers struggling to find technical staff was lower.” |
Noun |
Sector |
A distinct part of an economy, society, or industry |
Industry, field |
“The construction sector had a lower shortage of technical staff.” |
Noun |
Complication |
A factor that makes a situation more difficult |
Difficulty, problem |
“The rise in unskilled labour complications made it harder for employers.” |
Noun |
Increase |
The act of becoming larger or more numerous |
Growth, rise |
“There was an increase in the difficulty of hiring skilled workers.” |
Noun/Verb |
Recruitment |
The process of finding and hiring employees |
Hiring, staffing |
“The recruitment of skilled workers posed a challenge in 2003 and 2004.” |
Noun |
Difficulties |
Hardships or problems that make something harder to achieve |
Challenges, obstacles |
“The difficulties employers faced were significant in 2003.” |
Noun |
Skilled |
Having specific skills or training |
Proficient, experienced |
“Skilled workers were the hardest to find in most sectors.” |
Adjective |
Demand |
The need or desire for something |
Need, requirement |
“The demand for skilled workers increased in various sectors.” |
Noun |
Fluctuated |
To vary or change over time |
Changed, varied |
“The percentage of employers facing staff shortages fluctuated.” |
Verb |
Challenging |
Difficult or demanding |
Tough, hard |
“Finding skilled workers in the manufacturing sector was challenging.” |
Adjective |
Prevailing |
Existing or dominant at a particular time |
Dominant, widespread |
“The prevailing difficulty was in finding skilled workers.” |
Adjective |
Proportional |
Relating in size or amount to something else |
Relative, comparative |
“The proportional increase in unskilled labour difficulties was evident.” |
Adjective |
Trend |
A general direction or tendency |
Pattern, movement |
“The trend in hiring difficulties showed a rise in unskilled labour.” |
Noun |
Prominent |
Important or noticeable in a particular situation |
Leading, key |
“Skilled workers were the prominent issue faced by most sectors.” |
Adjective |
Minor |
Smaller in size, degree, or importance |
Small, insignificant |
“The minor difficulty in hiring technical staff was seen in several sectors.” |
Adjective |
Interrelated |
Having a mutual relationship or connection |
Connected, linked |
“The shortage of workers in different sectors was interrelated.” |
Adjective |

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