ll49 Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 What qualities should a perspective social worker or policeman have? Can it be judged by GCSEs or A levels? And how many jobs require knowledge to an A level standard? Richard Branson had a poor academic record at school and has no A levels. That's not the point I'm making, what I'm saying is you can't have 'common sense' lessons at school like there is geography, French etc, it isn't something you can teach to people. Common sense and academic abilities are totally different things, and I think a good balance of both is the best way to be, but obviously that can't be how every individual is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna B Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 Basic skills, meaning the 5 GCSEs that Government are pushing these days. The Conservatives are saying that not enough people have 5 good GCSEs, but since Asda, Costa Coffee, Tesco and even some trades people seem not to need algebra and trigonometry, do they need GCSEs? 5 good GCSEs are the basic requirement to get on the ladder of a worthwhile career, (I'm not saying those without can't be a success, but why make it even harder for yourself.) I'm not saying that's right, just the way it is, and I don't think education is ever wasted. The rest; life skills, common sense,work ethic, right attitude etc, are equally important but should come mainly from home. Schools will try to teach it, but encouragement and a good example set by loving parents will be by far the greater influence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliceBB Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 What AnnaB said, plus self-esteem, social grace, and communication skills both written and oral. It does of course depend top some extent on your definition of happiness and of success. Success for one person may be holding down a full-time job; for someone else, it might be becoming a plastic surgeon. Different people have different perceptions of happiness, although I'd venture to suggest that your home life is more influential in this than your work life, in the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonzo77 Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 For some lesser skilled jobs such as the ones you mention, a good attitude, drive, and a strong willingness to learn will always top qualifications. However, working a lower skilled job isn't going to bring success unfortunately. A life of drudgery maybe, so great if that makes them happy. How about working in sales? A good friend of mine left school with nothing. He sold energy tariffs, door to door for a year or so, then worked his way into the construction industry. Now he's the northern field sales manager for a brick company. He earns a six figure salary! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LUCAN Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 How about working in sales? A good friend of mine left school with nothing. He sold energy tariffs, door to door for a year or so, then worked his way into the construction industry. Now he's the northern field sales manager for a brick company. He earns a six figure salary! I agree, I'm a huge fan of sales. I would never class sales as a lesser skilled job, quite the opposite. I regard sales to be one of the most important of "qualified" professions. The qualification being a proven track record of achieving results and exceeding targets. Have that and it trumps every applicant with just a degree in sales and marketing all day long. Qualifications in this world are not required for greatness. Hustle and generating revenue is all that matters. If you can do that, you're never going to be out of work and will always be paid well above the average salary. On a personal note, I would much rather be a master of sales than a specialist in medicine or law. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Cid Posted October 5, 2014 Author Share Posted October 5, 2014 5 good GCSEs are the basic requirement to get on the ladder of a worthwhile career. That may be the case, but how many jobs are a "worthwhile career". Working on a supermarket checkout and driving a train involves very few skills taught in school, is the need for 5 good GCSEs being over played? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mecky Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 That may be the case, but how many jobs are a "worthwhile career". Working on a supermarket checkout and driving a train involves very few skills taught in school, is the need for 5 good GCSEs being over played? Doesn't is demonstrate a person's capacity for learning? I've heard it said that schools are not equipping people for the modern workplace. Does that mean we can expect courses in how to be a contestant on the crappy X Factor or how to be a WAG? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgksheff Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 C grade at GCSE is hardly 'rocket science'. Those with natural ability to get on in the world will do so, with or without qualifications, but your average Janet or John need to show prospective employers what makes them as good as or better than the other applicants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LUCAN Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 Does that mean we can expect courses in how to be a contestant on the crappy X Factor or how to be a WAG? Surely being a reality TV or pop "star" is a lot more fun and profitable than holding down a mundane job. Young people today SHOULD try to become famous and only turn to education as a very humdrum backup plan. Better to chase fame and fortune than a position as a senior accounts clerk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maz3 Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 On a personal note, I would much rather be a master of sales than a specialist in medicine or law. Better to chase fame and fortune than a position as a senior accounts clerk. We know a wind up when we see one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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