18 year old son struggling

[ohh]

Hello. My son was deeply affected with the Covid lockdown as he was borderline educational needs.

He was fine until then , but after school shut down end of year 8 to start of year 9 . He drifted through school staying under the radar.

No grade 4 GCSE only 1 and 2 .

Enjoying learning to drive and can do it well. Ready for his test but cannot yet pass his theory test. Taken 3 times.

We are rural so a car necessary! Local transportation not great.

So far he has been for 2 interviews but so many people are applying for jobs that they don’t even give you feedback if you don’t get it .

A career adviser recommended the forces but he failed the medical so that’s a no go. He was devastated as really wanted to sign up .

Has a kind , helpful personality. Loves going to Church. Likes routine and dressing up smart.

This has really knocked him back and he has tried agency manufacturing work but they are shocking at paying them . Ask them to work then send them home after 3 hours of a 12 hour shift and don’t pay them for their hours .

I am struggling to offer any suggestions for him apart from studying for his theory again. Them looking further afield or studying to retake exams. Not sure he would first as first not have the inclination.

is looking at an apprenticeship with the police but not sure he could to this without Maths and English .

His sister keeps nagging him as she is the polar opposite and has 11 GSCe at grade 9, 3 A levels grade A* and a law degree !

Working as a HR consultant.

Any suggestions are appreciated!

He really needs to get his maths and English, if not grade 4 GCSE then at least functional skills. He could do that alongside another level 1 or 2 course at college.

What has he been doing since sitting his GCSEs?

Hi Liitle tree frog

Went to college and studied digital music production at Level 1 and passed. Redid Maths and achieved a 3 . Could not do the level 2 as the college were not running it.

Then was in the process of applying for apprenticeship in RAF passed all exams and physical tests but failed the final hurdle of medical.

Then stared the agent work paid well but 12 hour shifts. Only paid if completed the whole 12 hours.

Produces with friends music which is streamed online like thousands of other young adults !

He can take functional exams but would have to use public transport to get there and back at high cost !

A lot of the functional skills courses can be done online if cost of travel is an issue. Surely travel costs will factor 8nto whatever he does and some areas subsidise travel for college, apprentices or low earners. Is volunteering an option to gain skills and enhance cv? It may even lead to paid work. When you say he is borderline for SEND has he ever been assessed since?

Hello

Son has not been assessed since he was 7 .

Thanks

Would that be something he would be open to?

I’d concentrate on him getting the minimum qualifications he needs or the functional skills

Are you able to take him to a job? Pick him up? Keep looking and applying for anything vaguely suitable - part time fine. You want something to just boost his confidence for now

Apoly on his behalf - whilst he’s sat next to you. That way you know the application is as strong as it can be.

just keep going for now and eventually a job will turn up

What was the medical failure? Is this something that could be retaken?

On the theory, is there a practice you could do sitting beside him? Does he know the areas he fails in..
What about farm work, anyone near you that might need someone? If he is physically fit and not afraid of working outdoors this could be a good match

I think try to work on theory test as it would boast his confidence if he can get his driving test.

Thank you all . X Jobs where we live few and far between. Unless you are into farming. Have tried to get him to try to reapply to forces . Medical was really daft . Father has paroxysmal atrial fibrillation controlled by medication. Son fainted in summer twice . Was given ECG nothing showing and he was tired and dehydrated. As the husband’s medical condition is difficult to diagnose, son has worn 2 heart monitors -separate times and nothing picked up . But that was what failed

Have they said how long he has to go without a fainting episode to be considered again it is that it.

Unfortunately this is an issue with rural living. Are there any pubs/cafes etc on a bus route that he could work in, at least apart time to get a bit of work experience on his C.V. Is he completely against working on a farm?

All farming apprenticeships are full and over subcontracted. He volunteers at church

Would he consider doing a CBT and getting a scooter licence? That would open up more opportunities to work/study. Agree with above posts about sitting functional skills as without maths and English qualifications his opportunities are very limited.