It's tricky, isn't it? We've always been at pains to tell both our kids that they shouldn't automatically think of going to Uni as being the only choice. The thought of all the debt they will build up would keep me awake at night but they both really wanted to go, and I have a sneaking suspicion they will never repay their loans anyway. I think they regard it as just another income-related tax that they may one day have to pay, but no more than that.
One of our neighbours' sons took a similar route to your son, and started studying for an HND in aeronautics (I think
) at a local college with links to the industry. He's the same age as our son and after doing a work experience placement with them, he was taken on by a helicopter firm in Yeovil who are employing him on an apprenticeship basis while they help him complete the HND. When he's finished, I reckon he will be set up for life in a career where employers are desperate for high calibre employees, and he won't have any student debt. Bears thinking about .....