A profession that requires no formal education?

[Hyggemama]

My partner is at a loss at to what to do work wise. He has run his own business but wants to pack it in because of the stress and he doesn’t like working by himself. The problem is, he didn’t do very well at school. He has 1 GCSE and isn’t very computer literate. He is very physically capable and really cares about other people. So far, we have discussed the fire service and the post office. Also, we are rural so options a little limited. We are just keeping an eye out for roles nearby. Can anyone recommend (or advise against) some sort of profession we may have forgotten about that might be suitable? I know there are probably 1000+ different jobs but if there are any that people particularly love or hate would be good to know. He wants something with decent progression and that he can be in for life.

The fire service needs gcse passes in English and maths. Not sure on post office.

Would he be willing to try and get some qualifications?

Yes I’m sure he would!

If he can get level 2 certificate in maths and English then he can apply for a fair bit.

• border force
• probation service officer

If he doesn't want to gain further qualifications then from memory I think he can apply as a prison officer (and he'd then gain a level 3 vq once passed training)

I didn't quite finish what I was writing, I meant to say there's quite a bit in the civil service he could apply for if gained a couple of basic qualifications.

The two I listed were examples

Loads I'd have thought. Gardening, landscaping, farming, building, plumbing, postman, HGV driver, bus/train driver, carer.

Does he have an undiagnosed learning disability. I guess if you know it wouldn't be diagnosed!

But only 1 gcse might indicate issues which, if addressed now, might help him achieve the grades he needs for the fire service etc

Ive just joined the civil service and they haven't even checked my references let alone asked for proof of my GCSE qualifications ......in fact no former employer has ever asked for proof- guess it will be different if your going into a profession ie if you claim to be an electrician then youd have to prove it, but as far as GCSE go im going out on a limb and say exaggerate the truth!

What is his business?

I regularly see training courses offered to get into coding, is that something he might be interested in?

trouble is, by definition, professions require prolonged training and formal qualifications. He’ll have more options open if he retrains

Ask him to check local colleges and council run education centres for functional skills maths & English courses. They are free. A couple hours a week or if lucky a longer weekly offer to get a fast track qualification if capable.

Be careful of private enterprises offering the courses, I don't wish to offend them but at my work we often assess people as lower than their certificates say when they have been to private companies.

Career advice is freely given to adult learners in colleges and council run classes.

Something straightforward like a lawn mowing business or a jet washing business. Build up your clientele and life is good, lots of physical activity, time outside, time for family, use an accounting app.

@frogsbreath thanks for your post. Someone I know needs to obtain a level 2 in numeracy and was about to enrol onto a private course so I'll get them to check locally first

Window cleaner.

@Ilikewinter

Ive just joined the civil service and they haven't even checked my references let alone asked for proof of my GCSE qualifications ......in fact no former employer has ever asked for proof- guess it will be different if your going into a profession ie if you claim to be an electrician then youd have to prove it, but as far as GCSE go im going out on a limb and say exaggerate the truth!

My DB is in the civil service. Has one GCSE; lied about others. Has never been checked. Not proposing your DH does this but makes me wonder how many people in the civil service have lied/embellished their qualifications.

On the other hand I see my neighbours desperately looking for people to mow lawns, clean block paving etc, wash windows. I think there are a lot of opportunities out there with no qualifications needed. Good luck to him.

[quote Workchatter]@frogsbreath thanks for your post. Someone I know needs to obtain a level 2 in numeracy and was about to enrol onto a private course so I'll get them to check locally first[/quote]
No problem

But I do want to say that it isn't all private companies, many have great tutors doing great teaching and the end result is the same certificates offered elsewhere.

Sadly, I often hear of companies offering 4 week passes and charging £300. These courses should be free to anyone who hasn't got a level 2 in the past 5 years. The government pays the course provider on successful passes.

At my council run adult education department we get many adult learners already in work but looking to upskill and move on. GCSE's from 25 years ago dont matter anywhere near as much as recent functional skills certificates.

Thanks so much, yes he has / had ADHD and was “put to work” (vocational course) instead of getting GCSEs. But he does not enjoy that vocation. Anything self employed, gardening, window cleaning, he wouldn’t want to do anymore as he just finds keeping up with paperwork and clientele stressful.

I will definitely point him towards the adult leaner courses for basic English and Maths. Sadly, he has all his life been told he’s no good at them. But he is just fine reading pretty challenging books / research articles and enjoys writing poems; he is amazing literate all things considered.

OP would he keep doing his business or similar if someone else could do the paperwork?

Our window cleaner raves about his job. He is a highly skilled qualified carpenter as well, but makes more money with his windows! Says much simpler, no one lets him down and gets paid. Any hours he likes.

The person I know is similar to your husband. They assume they are rubbish at academic work however I've seen myself it's not the case but unfortunately it's hard to change your brain to stop believing something that's become ingrained.

I hope he has luck with the adult education courses and can move into something interesting soon

Any sort of driving job

@Ilikewinter

Ive just joined the civil service and they haven't even checked my references let alone asked for proof of my GCSE qualifications ......in fact no former employer has ever asked for proof- guess it will be different if your going into a profession ie if you claim to be an electrician then youd have to prove it, but as far as GCSE go im going out on a limb and say exaggerate the truth!

Don't do this. I've been asked for photocopies of my GCSEs and A levels at multiple jobs and copies of my degrees at all jobs.

[quote Workchatter]@frogsbreath thanks for your post. Someone I know needs to obtain a level 2 in numeracy and was about to enrol onto a private course so I'll get them to check locally first[/quote]
Level 2 English and maths is free in adult Ed

There are loads of online skills course that are free. I'm doing functional maths skills level 2 and an IT course all online. It is modules and maths is an exam. I have gcses and bookkeeping qualifications. And I'm looking for something better to work at other than working in my current toxic environment.

What about

Warehouse work
Porter in a hospital
Grounds worker in parks
Look at all jobs in hospitals & civil service

Lab technician in universities pay really well, as do medical lab assistant jobs/surgical instrument cleaning in hospitals, and they don’t require any formal education. I would go on the nhs jobs site and find all band 2 jobs and apply for them. He’s runs business for years so should be capable.