Why do most jobs require GCSE or equivalent?

[nickinickers]

I find this quite soul destroying as someone with no education or ability to learn.
I would be so good at so many jobs but because I’m academically challenged I can’t even apply.
AIBU to think this is so unnecessary and cruel?

It’s only basic to learn if you have the ability to learn, I have no ability to retain or process information so I can go on all the courses in the world and not learn a dam thing.
I can still do anything else, everyone else can do apart from pass GCSE’s

This is a good plan as long as you can write letters/ promotional material / invoices / use payment software, budget and do your own tax return?

But if you can't learn OP how would I train you to do any kind of job? Every morning would I have to remind you how to log in? Would you remember where your place of employment even was?!

You must have some capacity for learning otherwise you would not be able to string a sentence together. It feels like step 1 might be getting out of the mindset that you can't learn, and finding GCSE equivalent courses that are taught in a way that works for you.

My BIL got basically no GCSEs (undiagnosed dyslexia and just not academic) became a bricklayer at 15, now owns his own company that builds entire houses. He’s an excellent doer and builder he just didn’t do school well.

Police officers need to do a lot of paperwork, they have to write down what they did and why for courts.

jobs that you might find good - warehouse work, factory work, gardening and outdoor work.

lots of people who can’t learn maths or English can learn active skills such working with animals (horses, dog walkers, running a kennels if someone else does the paperwork) or practical skills such as bricklaying or plastering.

I sort of agree. Certainly 30 years back there were jobs that you could get into without any qualifications.

I knew of a police officer who had no qualifications and did the community support for a while and then managed to get in. Not all types of policing requires a highly intellectual mind.

That said you have good spelling and punctuation- I would say that you should be able to pass GCSEs.

Have you been diagnosed with a learning difference or disability that could be affecting your ability to process information?

What jobs are you applying for that require GCSEs?

For a lot of them I would just lie TBH, no one is going to check your GCSEs to work in a pub or a shop.

If you want to work for the police then yes you are going to need to be able to demonstrate basic maths and English aptitude.

Yes, I though that. Or maybe OP has a partner, friend or relative who could help her out with that side of things.

Have you tried learning with a tutor or online to see if it’s the classroom setting that really is the issue? There are apps aimed at children that make learning maths more like gaming if that appeals?

What kind of stuff do you find difficult in English? If you were a child we’d say read books, listen to podcasts etc to improve your vocabulary and knowledge. There are probably apps (maybe aimed at students overseas learning English) for mechanics like comprehension and grammar etc

What do you mean by doing something with your hands? Do you mean something creative, being a tradesperson or something like working as a barber or in hospitality ?

I believe you need 2 A Levels to join the police these days (or an equivalent qualification). You'll also have to do a hell of a lot of training afterwards, much of which will be pretty academically weighted. So if you think you're academically challenged, then this isn't the role for you. Do you have any skills or talents OP. Such as handy crafts. Could you create things and sell them online?

different people learn different ways. Maybe the standard classroom method didn’t work for you, but there are plenty of other methods and techniques. Or you might have a learning difficulty that can be addressed to help you. Try your local college and explain your worries, you might be surprised.

It sounds like it might be worth you exploring if you have any disabilities that might make this harder for you, like dyslexia, dyspraxia or ADHD (or a combination) you’re able to write here so you obviously learnt that at some point, I agree with PP who suggests there might be a mindset issue here too

Most jobs need you to do some amount of independent work and critical thinking so GCSEs are a gage of basic levels. The person on my team without English gcse really struggled. He’s a bus driver now and loving it. My dept is mostly graduates so the gap was big for him and it did show.

That's true - no one will check.

Because in this day and age employers want some people with basic competencies? For everyone person without GCSEs there'd be people with GCSEs.

Also good to have an incentive to work at school.

OP have you ever been assessed for dyslexia? If that’s what’s preventing you from passing the exams you’ll need a very different approach to learning. Perhaps look to see if any local charities or the council have anything on offer to help with adult numeracy & literacy. There are also online programmes specifically designed for people with learning difficulties that could help give you a better foundation and enable you to go on to gain qualifications.

I applied for the navy but didn’t pass the exam. I wanted to do child care but was told I couldn’t even do the level 2 cours without GCSE’s.

I agree with the posters who say start up your own business.

Self employed gardener would be good. People are desparate for lawn mowers these days - it doesn't have to be hard landscaping. Just lawnmowing would get you in the region of £20 an hour, a perfectly respectable amount.

You keep saying you have no capacity to learn, yet you are putting together decent enough sentences. I doubt anyone will ask for your certificates.

If you enjoy childcare and have parenting experience, look into becoming a childminder. Contact your local authority, they will probably run and introductory course.

Well, you can clearly learn because you are writing replies here, so you are able to read, form an opinion, and provide a response!

I just don't think you've found the right method to learn maths, and this might be because you haven't found the right incentive to.

Why not try a hobby or sport where numbers/maths are important?

Some sports have quite complex scoring, and some hobbies need numerical/measurement skills, e.g. sewing, crafting, etc.

Once you've built your confidence back up, consider finding a local tutor to help. Some local voluntary organisations also have this service.

Regarding the police. Yep, numeracy and literacy are essential, as are motivation and self-discipline.

Obviously I can read and write as I’m doing on here, I have a good understanding of life and I’m quite problem solver but none of that matters without GCSEs

You learnt how to use the internet and mumsnet though, presumably you learnt how to pay your bills and cook meals.

Can you send an email/ use a calculator/ follow instructions? If you really couldn’t learn anything then you wouldn’t be living independently!

What are your skills or interests?