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?

Exactly, it's shutting people out who would probs be fine for the job.

Builders use maths all the time! They need to be able to calculate the amount of materials needed for a job, so they need to know how to work out area’s and perimeters. Angles are also important when looking at plans!

Most employers will waive strict academic requirements if a candidate clearly demonstrates they have intelligence and are able to do the job but it does depend on the job. Some definitely do require a certain amount of academic background.

What sort of job would you like to do? You mentioned the police force earlier on but you do need problem solving skills and a good memory to be a police officer. Attention to detail and being able to assess a situation fairly quickly are important. From what you have said about yourself, they are not your strong points. You're not alone there, I know I would be absolutely useless at that because I am by nature unobservant and frequently don't notice what others see even if right in front of me. I also don't have quick reflexes, tend to ponder and procrastinate. That's me and I wouldn't ever have wanted to join the police force anyway but what I am saying is that we all have different strengths and weaknesses.

Another thing that does not go in your favour is that you've never worked since leaving school. Most people do work, even if it is only something, for example, like assisting in a laundrette or filling shelves in a supermarket. I am really surprised you have been able not to work, especially before having children.

I do get that you lack confidence.

What things are you good at, nicknickers, and do you read for pleasure, sew, cook, drive? There must be something that you like doing and manage quite well. Maybe build on that.

Ask at your local jobcentre if there is a member of staff specifically trained to help and guide people into work. She or he will be able to assess your capabilities and then maybe the right job will appear but you have to be realistic.

Good luck.

I second (third?) gardening. Where I live there’s a shortage of basic gardeners - that is, people to cut grass regularly, do weeding, general tidying, etc. My elderly mum struggled to find someone for ages. The person she finally found sounds a little like you - no academic qualifications and struggles to retain information. My mum doesn’t mind. She writes down the list of jobs and checks in with him. He’s happy, a hard-worker and reliable.

It might be a good start for you.

One thing you have to remember is lots of entry level jobs just don't exist any more. When did you last work in an office with an office junior, whos job was to make tea for meetings, take stuff around the office, go to the post office, and eventually she'd get a step up into accounts assistant or into the typing pool (not worked somewhere with a typing pool for years either)

OP if you cant hold down a bar job how do you expect to be a police officer? I find that quite a weird view to have so I doubt the only problem is poor memory

*not slatting bar work it's hard physically in a busy place but not exactly mentally challenging.

I'm struggling a little to understand why you didn't get a GCSE in English as your use of language here is quite sophisticated.

You use complex sentences, with good grammar etc. GCSE English Language, 20 to 25years ago was writing an essay (creative writing) and answering a comprehension passage. It didn't require you to learn or remember anything in advance.
Maybe you could try again?

You’ve been a SAHM for years,you must have managed a schedule, organised a home, planed and prepped meals, attended to sick children, been a counselor and confident, a cook, a cleaner a taxi driver and a shoulder to cry on.

You have skills.

My old manager loved older mothers and they worked hard as work was easier that they’ve had a home for years!

If you want to work with people decide how you are going to achieve this?

Police now have cameras, so no need to remember all the facts after 8 hours a lot have a volunteer section you could commit to 6 months.

Why not ask around and see what else if about - explain your difficulties upfront -

I'm not believing this post at all.

Can use proper punctuation and spelling but cant remember anything and has no ability to learn...

I wasn't taught GCSE maths at school, they just didn't have the resources to have someone sit with me and give me the time to learn. So there are sometimes reasons outside of someone's control why they don't get a GCSE. I did a course and managed to get it there.

What are you good at @nickinickers Can you knit or crochet? Can you paint, either in an arts & crafts sense or home decorating? Can you cook? Could you garden? Have you explored being self employed by using the skills you’ve got and can retain, rather than what you haven’t got and can’t learn?

I once had a disagreement with a colleague because I refused to employ someone as a cleaner who was not literate, to my mind she was a huge health and safety risk if she could not read and understand instructions on cleaning fluid containers ( nursing home) Some jobs just need qualifications, that's the way of the world

All is not lost but if you are applying for jobs through the traditional routes then yeah, a basic education is often the minimum requirement.

Have you tried volunteering? The entry requirements are a lot less stringent and it gives you the opportunity to try out various roles. By volunteering you are gaining experience, skills and you are getting yourself out there.

What are your interests? What skills do you have? These are questions you need to ask yourself in order to pinpoint what types of jobs that you will be most suited to.

I understand your frustrations but you must see that your expectations were unrealistic. There is something for you out there but you need to be creative and prepared to be open to a variety of options.

If you're telling potential employers you can't learn they aren't going to employ you. It sounds like you can learn but you are a practical learner but struggle with learning in a classroom? There's nothing wrong with that. Do you have any needs that make that more difficult like Dyslexia or autism? If there is a disability that leads to you requiring adjustments to learn then this should be taken into account when applying for jobs and they could relax the qualifications required. However, you will need to be realistic on what you apply for. A police officer needs to be able to understand law and be able to write high quality reports.

I found it mentally challenging actually, I’m on a doctorate now. Everyone has strengths. U think the OP might have a learning disability or at least a learning difference.

I think you need to go to the GP. You could have a learning disability. I think the school failed you if they didn't have you assessed when they knew you had such difficulties with retention. Having a diagnosis could open doors to employment support, support to find a job and have the right adjustments in place to maintain it.

Why ? You can write well but still struggle with exams.

You can't sit around at the end of a ten hour shift and watch back all the camera footage to see what was said.... Also, the Special Constabulary entry requirements are the same as for the paid Regulars. With the same powers and much the same duties. Becoming a SC isn't an intro to the Job, it IS the Job.

Do this OP. Go and get a diagnosis, there is a reason you can’t remember things. It can open doors for you.

Exactly, she could have a mild learning disability with strengths in writing/ reading.

You can, but this isn't what the OP has said . She said she struggles to retain information, faces and instructions, but has managed to learn and remember spellings and grammar .

Do you know how much law police officers have to learn? How could you do that?

have you considered volunteering in an area of work that interests you? That may demonstrate what you can do to yourself and others and may lead to paid work. Some areas have charities which can support you into qualifications and work, depending on your difficulty.

Op do your kids have any learning difficulties?
Because these things (autism, adhd, dyslexia) often run in families.

I think a place to start would be volunteering so you are then able to get a reference and it might boost your confidence.

But you need to set realistic expectations and speak with Job Centre see what they can come up with for you.

English GCSE even 25 years ago didn't necessitate having to retain information.

It was a choice of essay titles and one or two passages of comprehension with questions to answer. Some were even multiple choice.