That's screwy. The GED is less than high school equivalency. There is absolutely zero rigor to it. It might get you a job as a janitor. It certainly doesn't get you into any reputable college or university, although some community colleges may except it and then a person can prove their academic worth.
The SAT and ACT get you into college. A GED is only useful when you home school and your school district will not give a diploma, or if you drop out of school. It means nothing academically. Both of my daughters home schooled and did not receive a high school diploma. Their SATs in combination of a portfolio of home schooling work, and multiple AP Exams opened the door to colleges/universities.
Also, the idea of jumping into the job market as a career choice at age 12 is hideous, or age 16 for that matter. There is nothing wrong with working at those ages, but there's a lot of learning to do to avoid ignorance as an adult.
Trade/technical schools often require a high school diploma or a GED for entrance, unless you consider those schools to not be further education. Then, with the training from those schools, you enter the job market. Not seeing this as a screwy at all, really.