DS2 will take gcses this year. He should get 7/8s in maths and science and hopefully a pass in English/written subjects.
He's determined not to do Alevels and wants to do either a technical college (Btec?) course or an advanced level apprenticeship.
I am wary of apprenticeships as I k ow lots of them are poor quality and don't lead to much but I also know there are some large companies whose schemes have very good reputations.
So, how competitive are those kinds of apprenticeships. DS2 is a timid boy and is not likely to perform well selection day type exercises involving teamwork etc with people he doesn't know - he has the skills but needs to know people a bit to be comfortable enough to demonstrate it.