i know loads of people who go to collage/uni then end up with either good jobs they could have got without a degree/a levels, or a crappy job that they hate, that still didnt need the degree. i think nowadays the companies care about the person not the qualifications, and most will just run a trial period in contract where you can be let go at any time, to ensure you can do the job. a degree in financial planning does not show you can SELL a mortgage or a loan to someone, all it shows is that you could bore the tits off joe bloggs who wants to get on with his life.

my bro is going to work at the royal bank of scotland, and he is going straight from school. its got excellent career prospects, is not extremely hard work, regular hours, and if you do well very good pay with excellent bonuses. the minimum he will get is £180 a week AFTER tax, not a bad wage at 16, and thats before any bonuses, profit shares and investment opportunities.
Then there my cousin, who is going to do exactly the same job, but he is 21, just out of Uni with a degree ( in god knows what) and is starting in the same position on the same wage, so where has this degree got him, apart from in major debt?

all you need to get a good job is to show enthusiasm, punctuality, and be friendly with everyone you meet. not much to it to be honest

EDIT: Oh and my bro got the job without even knowing his GCSE results, we get them on the 24th August! so they dont really matter either