Assess GCSE entry bar impact on health workforce, ministers urged

Mature (and other) students often complete catch up courses relevant to their profession. For example mature students enrolled on a nursing degree could either submit ancient GCSE / O level results slips or pass a couple of level 3 test relevant to their training. Why would you prevent an adult commence training for a profession if they are suitable in all qualifying aspects because they did not pass a particular exam when they were an immature 16 year old? ... Particularly when that profession has both a shortage and also requires specific personality traits?

The drawback is that certain levels of knowledge and skills are necessary to undertake study at this level, hence why many universities require all potential undergraduates to 'matriculate' before they start studying. If this is seen as a barrier, then prospective students lacking the requisite qualifications should be encouraged & assisted to get them (or undertake an equivalent like an 'Access' course) rather than be allowed to embark on their studies and maybe struggle or even fail.