Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what jobs there are for unskilled that aren't retail or hospitality

80 replies

blankminded · 10/01/2023 22:21

Just that really, school leaver this year but I'm trying to think of a job unskilled that doesn't involve dealing with customers as I'm really anxious as I have poor social skills.

I don't know what I want to do at college yet but I am looking into that but want to earn in the meantime.
Any ideas please, I don't want voluntary work as I need an income.

OP posts:
Original poster
blankminded · 10/01/2023 22:56

what does your family say? Do Mum/Dad etc have any suggestions.
They keep asking me what I'm going to do, I think as long as I'm happy they will support any choice in the end.

OP posts:
Original poster
blankminded · 10/01/2023 22:58

Mostlygrumpy · 10/01/2023 22:44

Why do I feel like someone's mother has written this. Is this actually you or your Mum looking for advice? Either way I'm sure we can help

I'm not someone's mother, I just need some suggestions as I can't think what's out there.

OP posts:
PerfectYear321 · 10/01/2023 22:59

Working for the council in an admin role

snowtrees · 10/01/2023 23:02

Loads of factory jobs. Often fairly dull but you don't need to talk to anyone. Same for warehouse jobs

Mostlygrumpy · 10/01/2023 23:04

Ok, school leaver, unskilled, can't deal with the general public plus anxiety?

RaininSummer · 10/01/2023 23:04

Don't sell yourself short. Get more education so that you have more choices in the future. You will also get more self confidence as you get older. If you don't want to do A levels or uni then an apprenticeship is a good idea.

Mostlygrumpy · 10/01/2023 23:06

You could volunteer at an animal shelter in the hope of employment maybe?

AftersomeAdvice234 · 10/01/2023 23:06

Technical education (T Levels) they are College based, equivalent to 3 A levels classroom and industry placements so you get experience as you study.

you do not earn during it but your career trajectory after has high potential bcos of the knowledge and work experience you again throughout the course

Not all colleges are offering them at the minute and more course topics are being added each year. You have the option of choosing the course and then a specialism within that area. I think these are great and a good way to really understand if the area of work is something that might interest you in the long run. Often people go into careers and become stuck bcos they have invested so much time studying a particular subject and unless they retrain which comes at a high cost, especially later in life when you have commitments

I work on developing apprenticeships and T Levels so feel free to ask if you have any questions

XenoBitch · 10/01/2023 23:07

NorthernLights5 · 10/01/2023 22:51

I'd love to see those calling care unskilled do a few 12hr care shifts with no break! I hate the term unskilled as all jobs require some form of skill.

In care we are still classed as unskilled and are paid so little. But these days you need NVQs and to have excellent verbal and written communication skills. We certify deaths, apply dressings, sit with forgotten family members whilst they pass away, answer the same question 60 times in an hour with patience every time, be verbally and physically abused (I have scars where I've been in the firing line so to speak), deal with other healthcare professionals, make decisions in people's best interests and a whole load more. Some people have no clue what we do, see or go through.

I understand!
I am fed up seeing suggestions of "working in care" to people who would most likely be unsuitable for it.
I have had it myself. I would not have the aptitude to work in care at all. Not fair on me, but most of all, not fair on the people being cared for.

determinedtomakethiswork · 10/01/2023 23:09

Firsttimeinsnow · 10/01/2023 22:29

Carer you could be a domiciliary one, going to people's houses. You would preferably need to drive. A lot of companies will provide a car.

She has already said she has poor social skills. She can't go into people's houses when they are vulnerable if she has difficulty communicating with them.

WonderingWanda · 10/01/2023 23:10

Cleaning in a hotel / holiday park /offices etc. Kitchen porter. Farm work/livery yard. Delivering leaflets. Shelf stacking or picking out orders in a supermarket. Laundry and ironing service. Work at a hand car wash.

vodkaredbullgirl · 10/01/2023 23:13

NorthernLights5 · 10/01/2023 22:51

I'd love to see those calling care unskilled do a few 12hr care shifts with no break! I hate the term unskilled as all jobs require some form of skill.

In care we are still classed as unskilled and are paid so little. But these days you need NVQs and to have excellent verbal and written communication skills. We certify deaths, apply dressings, sit with forgotten family members whilst they pass away, answer the same question 60 times in an hour with patience every time, be verbally and physically abused (I have scars where I've been in the firing line so to speak), deal with other healthcare professionals, make decisions in people's best interests and a whole load more. Some people have no clue what we do, see or go through.

hear hear

AftersomeAdvice234 · 10/01/2023 23:15

www.tlevels.gov.uk/students/subjects

JobSeekingMissile · 10/01/2023 23:16

Hospitality could be very good for you. You don't need to be customer facing; wash dishes, kitchen prep, cleaning.
it's a brilliant environment (in the right place) for teenagers to learn new skills and develop themselves socially.
Everywhere I have worked there's been great camaraderie and the older staff support the younger staff. I've seen many a teenager make good use of the opportunity.
also hospitality and retail are not unskilled.

2bazookas · 10/01/2023 23:32

Commercial kitchen work, cleaning, postman, deliveries.

I strongly suggest that instead of avoiding social contact, you try making small changes to develop your social skills. For instance, you could set your self a target of nodding and smiling to neighbours you pass in the street, or saying good morning to staff in shops you frequent.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 10/01/2023 23:32

Office admin.

BabyFour2023 · 10/01/2023 23:32

Noln · 10/01/2023 22:31

Labourer on a building site for a gang of bricklayers. You'll get fit at the same time too😅

Not at 16.

Original poster
blankminded · 10/01/2023 23:38

also hospitality and retail are not unskilled
What do you mean as in qualifications?

OP posts:
GroggyLegs · 10/01/2023 23:45

I work in wholesale, we are always desperate for order pickers & replenishment colleagues. Minimal customer contact.

I wouldn't recommend it as a career, but for part time work at college/ holidays it would be fine.

SilverHydrangea · 10/01/2023 23:53

Firsttimeinsnow · 10/01/2023 22:29

Carer you could be a domiciliary one, going to people's houses. You would preferably need to drive. A lot of companies will provide a car.

Being a carer is not an unskilled job!

SilverHydrangea · 10/01/2023 23:54

vodkaredbullgirl · 10/01/2023 23:13

hear hear

Show quote history

Totally agree

maddening · 10/01/2023 23:57

Look at apprenticeships imo, even something vaguely in the lines that you would consider going.

I work for a huge financial firm and they do apprenticeships which lead to degrees and end in a job, pay is about 22k pa and they pay for the degree as well.

Many industries have this and it is a great way to.earn,.learn and work out what you want to do whilst making some headway.

maddening · 11/01/2023 00:03

If you like animals look here for minho about apprenticeships in that area

www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/apprentices/browse-by-interests/agriculture-environment-animal-care#

JudgeRudy · 11/01/2023 00:08

Warehouse work?. Picker/packer....walk around with a pick sheet and a pallet truck (so basically a shopping list) working with people but separately. Learn how to use all the software (hand held scanners), progress to LLOP or forklift
Eat in canteen on your break or outside for a wander.

ThirtyThreeTrees · 11/01/2023 00:24

Have you tried doing any of the personality career tests online. They ask you about 50 questions about about what you like, don't like, type of situations that work best for you, Teams v alone, pressure v stress free etc.

The suggested options include skilled and unskilled but it might give you some ideas.