Hi Mishandled,
One of the corporate identified qualifications is the ECDL (European Computer Driving Licence).
http://www.ecdl.com/main/index.php
I've got the course book, and if you already know your way around a PC, then you'll have no difficulty with it. It's not exactly degree stuff, but it'll give you
A A broad knowledge base,
and
B A bit of paper saying you've got a broad knowledge base.
As Hamrah says, most people under 25 have a fair understanding of the basics, but if you want to earn money you'll need to specialise. You can go into any pub and find someone who can do a clean install, or knock up a spreadsheet for home finances. But the greater the specialism, the more chance there is of someone needing to pay you rather than get the bloke from the pub.
Net security is one of the fastest changing environments, and if you could get into that in a corporate environment, perhaps doing consultancy work, then you could do OK.
Just a thought or two.
Cheers
Liam