The point, Lady Luck, is that many employers require prospective employees to have year 12 (or equivalent) passes in certain subjects. This may well be (and frequently is) in addition to any licence requirements.
Even if you think they are pointless, an employer is free to stipulate. If they won't look at your CV without a Y12 pass in one-handed clapping, and you want to work there, you'd better find an appropriate class.
Turns out that most sharp-end aviation employers want Y12 passes in maths and English. So if you want to be considered by them, that's what you have to have. If you don't want to do the course, you are free to look for an employer which does not stipulate them as a requirement.