I kinda agree, but as i said earlier a major emplyer is not going to be overly concerened by your GCSE's, but they are fairlyish kinda important to getting in to higher education. But again that doesnt account for much when looking for jobs. Alot of the time people with degrees get stuck working rubbish jobs till they "get lucky". Linke my brother, he has a physics degree, but i earn more then him, simply cause i have the most experience. Anyway to put my opinion in a nut shell GCSE's are pointless unless trying to get into further education(which you should be cause else you wont get very far out of a trade job). Get as much experience as possible for the career your choosing. I know it shounds crazy but try going to a local place and ask if you can do work experience unpaid, or for a small fee. Impress them with a decent attitude and you never know you may well end up working there later in life if you decide you like that job.