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?

My dear old late dad was in a position to employ people at his work. If he had to chose between the last two, one being uni educated and the other worked their way up he would always employ the latter. You need someone like that for you.

But, what are your passions? If got the passion and the ethics for hard work, have a go at starting up your own company. Then you're the boss, you make the rules! Good luck.

GCSE maths and English are basic level qualifications to be functionally numerate and literate in today's society. Most jobs require these skills to some extent.

This is a joke right?! Bored journo again!

Wrong person

You should maybe apply to your local college where you can go back to 'school' and look into Access courses and NVQs You could also perhaps be assessed for any learning difficulties and get 1:1 support at college.

Have you looked at functional skills instead?

If you can’t remember basic things why do you think you’d be able to be a police officer or in the navy?

You could do shop asst work, maybe consider horticulture, or catering.

Why not contact your local FE college and go along to meet the tutors and see what might suit you?

And I have to write everything down or it's gone out my mind, I have note books everywhere.

I'm shit at numbers, spelling, but surprisingly great at admin and organising

I'm also an officer in the Army Cadets Looking after 40 adults and 160 cadets

What job do you, realistically, think you’d be suited to? You mentioned police but If you can’t remember who you were serving in a restaurant how would you be able remember the processes of procedures for the role or be an accurate witness?

if you were an employer would you employ someone who couldn’t learn?

I'm not sure if your being sarcastic or not

I hope not 😁😁

As I’m feeling tired, sorry, I can’t be bothered to read all of the posts. shocking I know.

It is hard when you don’t feel you have the paper qualifications required.

For some jobs, experience will count, for others consider something more accessible like Functional Skills, these are often considered by employers, but make sure they will meet their criteria, or check their equivalency against GCSE’s

“
Search Assist

Functional Skills qualifications, particularly Level 2, are generally considered equivalent to GCSEs, specifically a grade 4 (C) or above. However, some institutions may not accept them as substitutes for GCSEs, so it's important to check specific requirements”

Those suggesting self employment have clearly either never done it, or haven't read the OP's posts. Running your own business requires a high level of organisation, attention to detail, memory, and ability to deal with paperwork. Taxes, accounts, possibly H&S qualifications depending on the business, running social media accounts, booking clients, etc.

OP, unfortunately it sounds as if there are very few types of work you wouldn't currently struggle with. I agree with those suggesting you start by seeking a diagnosis of your difficulties - that may well open up avenues of support.

Can you drive? Do you have any non-academic qualifications?

This really isn't meant to be a dig, I'm just trying to understand - how have you managed to raise multiple children if you admit you "have no ability to retain or process information"? How did you manage feeds, naps, vaccines, clothes, school applications...? You say yourself that you couldn't work in hospitality as you'd forget where everything is - was that also the case for milk bottles? Nappies? Or why was that stuff different?

how come she can write the OP so well? All her posts are well written

That’s just it though and those basic standards are to filter out people like me.
I don’t know what’s more humiliating being unemployed or having a job and struggling to do it while other colleagues show visible disbelief.

If OP likes dogs, surely 🐕 walking is a great choice....

Your writing seems fine. I'm surprised you haven't got the English gcse. Do you get anxiety around exams?

Sending a 🫂. This sounds very tough but there must be an answer somewhere- something productive & rewarding you could do.

Poor facial memory - Do you think you might have prosopagnosia?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosopagnosia

Sorry to hear this OP. It’s obviously knocked your confidence but I’m sure there’s something out there for you.

It does appear you’ve been failed by the education system. Potentially also failed by parents/care givers and healthcare if you’ve struggled quite bad with simple memory tasks and no one picked up on it during your childhood.

Obviously no one can diagnose you on here but I wouldn’t be surprised if you have some sort of learning difficulty/disability or some form of neurodivergence.

What things do you enjoy doing? Do you have any hobbies? People could suggest all types of work you could try.

Can you do an evening course, or try an access to learning course? It will be good for you to show you are trying.

You need to lower your expectations and be more realistic. You’re having a laugh if you think you could be in the navy or police.

OP not everyone is suitable for exams but there are other methods of learning and gaining qualifications where exams aren’t necessary. In certain circumstances where it is detrimental to the candidates experience and wellbeing and where the candidate can demonstrate proficiency in an alternative mode of assessment, you may not need to sit exams.

You don’t articulate and write like you have a severe learning disability so perhaps you just need far more support in an educational setting than you’ve previously experienced? I know plenty of people who have a learning disability/difficulty who can and do successfully work they sometimes just need minor adjustments or additional support to get there, including through education. Perhaps approaching organisation who work with people who have a learning disability or difficulty might be your best bet?

Dont rule anything out because you struggle with academics, there are a million ways to get and keep a job you might just need external help.

No I just wasn’t able to take in any of what the teacher said and learnt absolutely nothing.
I tried my very hardest in all my exams and the results I got were better than my predicted results.
I didn’t muck around at school I tried as hard as I could I just didn’t remember anything.
I remember the teacher talking and desperately trying to hold onto that information but it was almost as if I could see it floating by me and I couldn’t hold onto it.

Learn a trade and hire an accountant.