I left secondary modern school at 15 years
old. No GCE.
Had apprenticeship as a letterpress machine minder, first year wage of £1.75 for 40hour week.
I wanted to teach printing at a tech college at age 21 years.
Told to come back at 26years or teach abroad now.
Got such a job in Nassau with local Tribune newspaper via Daily Express UK.
Opened an account with Barclays Bank there with my total capital of £25, the manager was so so rude I closed it after 1hour and moved across to a Canadian Bank.
The manager there took me flying in an Aircoupe at the Nassau Flying Club.
This was my second flight after the BOAC 707 flight ex UK.
The manager was ex WW2 fighter pilot and suggested I should learn to fly.
I then applied to the UK RAF for pilot training and they who offered me a position as a trainee cook.
I remained in Nassau and spent 4years doing FAA licences weekends in Florida and had them and one US$ left at 26years.
I payed for a full conversion to the UK ATPL at 35years old.
I retired at 60years old and never ever felt I "worked" since my first job cleaning aircraft in 1966 at the Nassau flying Club.