Firstly, it is never too late to get some qualifications. A lot of adult colleges offer English and maths GCSEs free to the unemployed, so if you have one of these colleges your area then you should certainly take a look at it, as having these things will help you to get to the next stage of applications. I always advise people to get voluntary work where possible, as it can build skills that are very useful for other jobs. The most important thing is to be proactive.