There are more vocational quals about now and apprenticeships are increasing, but most would need some form of maths and English I guess it's gsces still. But again these can be done later long after leaving school. I think we all know people that have been highly successful without a single bit of paper, I guess you got to play cards you're dealt and take what opportunity you can , as long as my lads ain't sat in a dead end job moaning about it, happy days...