To ask what you (or grown up children) do for a job if you have no formal qualifications

[Susiebluesy]

My son will probably leave school next year with no qualifications. Despite a lot of support from his dad and I, plus the school, he has behavioural problems as well as being a school refuser.

I was talking to his dad earlier about what his options are (I know they are limited obviously), he can work for his Dad, but ideally we’d like him to make his own way in life (possibly working for himself / have a trade).

I’m interested if anyone here has managed to carve a career from not doing well at school, did you maybe go to night school and resit? - or if anyone has grown up children where school wasn’t for them and they’ve managed to get a job?

Anyone got any positive stories?

I’m dyslexic, struggled at school as we didn’t have the support back then that kids get now. My parents then moved right before my GCSEs, so I ended up having to drop almost all my subjects as the new school had already started or sat their exams for them. I gave up at that point, bunked off all the time and got nothing in the exams I did sit (a D might have been my best mark). I left school, got a few crap jobs, but then got into recruitment. I now earn 40k basic, in an amazing job where I get to travel all over the world, pick my hours and work from home, with a company that values me.

I agree with the others that the behaviour is a much bigger issue.

To add my mum probably would have described me as lazy and with a bad attitude at 15/16, BUT I moved out at 16 so had to work to pay my bills. I think that forced me to grow up and develop a good work ethic. My mum was convinced I was making a massive mistake, should go back into education or I’d end up a waster! I just couldn’t though and still believe leaving was the best thing for me.

I’m not suggesting you kick your son out or anything, but that forcing some responsibilities on him might be good.