Agreed with reforming so people are better prepared, this should not simply be academically but also by ensuring education is relevant absenteeism can be reduced as education is relevent, there are clear expectations as to behaviour, matched in the work place.
Given the issues with the NHS I would make first aid compulsory as a subject, updated every 3 years so in the uk students start secondary at 11 and leave at 18. so they would learn first aid at 11, 14, and 17, as usually the certificate lasts 3 years. this would give them useful skills, same would go for health and safety and handling of chemicals, both would be compulsory part of undertaking science courses, you then get the certificate to go along side the academic qualification.