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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

DS wasting further education

55 replies

sweetfeyd · 30/07/2018 11:40

So my DS has decided against going to uni even though his older brother has gone, in stead wanting to work. Me and DH supported this, but were concerned about the lack of extra qualifications down the road. DS is in process of signing up to the RAF but we don't think he will get any decent skills from his trade.

After lots of convos, DS agreed and we all. Agreed to some distance learning. Given DS 1000 to facilitate it, he goes off and gets it all booked. Sounds great? He has spent the money on a years study. Learning Klingon from Osric university!!! He always did love star trek. We are both fuming, its a total waste of money and if he's done it as a prank its a bloody expensive one as we can see the money has already gone to this 'uni'.

OP posts:
Pengggwn · 30/07/2018 11:42

Please, stop, I'm struggling not to laugh.

He spent your money on a Klingon course?! He would be paying it back or leaving.

crunchtime · 30/07/2018 11:44

Wtf????? Omg I would kill him! !!!!!@!

KateGrey · 30/07/2018 11:44

Oh god sorry that did make me laugh. But higher education isn’t for everyone. I went to uni and my dh didn’t. He later on studied for some financial qualifications but I think it’s unfair to push someone into something that might not be right for them. But he probably needs to pay your 1000 back.

NewYearNewMe18 · 30/07/2018 11:45

DS is in process of signing up to the RAF but we don't think he will get any decent skills from his trade.

What trade is that then, that wont be useful?

ReasonableLlama · 30/07/2018 11:45

Well he did tell you he didn't want to go to Uni. I'm guessing since you insisted he might as well do something he's really interested in 😂

NewYearNewMe18 · 30/07/2018 11:48

How long until this hits the Daily Mail.

Good one Op!

Original poster
sweetfeyd · 30/07/2018 11:49

I don't blame you for laughing, if it wasn't happening to us I would be laughing too!
Its the money though, if he didn't want to do more education fine but he could have used it much more usefully.

He is going for the RAF regiment, they are elite accordinging to the blurb but not sure how much transferrable skills he will get. Apparently they have very high physical entry, so maybe gym/pt things?

OP posts:
FASH84 · 30/07/2018 11:51

This is hilarious if true. Uni isn't for everyone, I went, have a senior role and earn a very decent wage. DB didn't and earns twice my salary, it's not necessarily limiting

Popc0rn · 30/07/2018 11:51

O......k. I'm not sure who's being more stupid, him for booking that course, or you for thinking some distance learning course will make him more employable than joining the RAF? Tough one Hmm

Can he cancel the course? Does the 14 day cooling off period apply to uni courses?

Either way, he's made his point Grin

FASH84 · 30/07/2018 11:51

The military will give him lots of transferable skills regardless of his role

NewYearNewMe18 · 30/07/2018 11:53

Don't worry OP, he's hardly going to be in Bomber Command with no degree!

SnuggyBuggy · 30/07/2018 11:55

I don't think pressing him into further education at this point is a good idea. Let him join the RAF and he can always consider further education later if needed.

NewYearNewMe18 · 30/07/2018 11:55

He is going for the RAF regiment which regiment ?

Original poster
sweetfeyd · 30/07/2018 11:55

Good point about the cooling off period, will look into it. My DH was army (before he met me) and is a bit miffed he has chosen an infantry type role but it is DS's choice

OP posts:
Original poster
sweetfeyd · 30/07/2018 11:56

RAF regiment as in the RAF infantry?

OP posts:
Rebecca36 · 30/07/2018 12:01

I hope your son is now proficient at Klingon, I'm impressed!
Get over it, it is very funny.

Shootfirstaskquestionslater · 30/07/2018 12:02

Hahaha lol sorry but that’s funny that’s what happens when you try and force someone to do something that they don’t want to do. Just let him join the RAF if that’s what he wants and try and get your money back.

Metoodear · 30/07/2018 12:03

DS is in process of signing up to the RAF but we don't think he will get any decent skills from his trade.

is this a joke right I don’t even know we’re to begin with this and I don’t even have a degree

Popc0rn · 30/07/2018 12:04

I'm guessing regiment as in this: www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/roles/roles-finder/force-protection/raf-regiment-gunner/

"YOUR FUTURE CAREER PROSPECTS/PROGRESSION

After completing one year’s total service you will be eligible for promotion to Senior Aircraftman, providing you pass a Trade Ability Test and Basic Trade Training. Further promotion to the rank of Lance Corporal and beyond is by competitive selection. Like most people in the RAF, you will move jobs every few years, and each job is known as a tour. There are a wide range of jobs available to an RAF Regiment Gunner including Forward Air Controller; Parachutist; Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Specialist, Force Protection Instructor; and Ceremonial Duties. Whatever your role, you will regularly deploy on overseas operations and exercises around the globe.

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

The qualifications and experience you will gain as a Gunner are valuable to civilian life – which means that whenever you decide to leave the RAF, you will be well placed to find a new job. As you move up the ranks, you will gain a great deal of practical management and leadership experience, which you can develop into related civilian qualifications. Gunners who have left the Service have started their own businesses or joined the police or other emergency services."

...I think he'll do just fine without being fluent in Clingon too Grin. See what you mean about how it's not a specific trade, but he's young and sounds like a good start in life to me. Good luck to him! And with getting your grand back!! Grin

BarbaraofSevillle · 30/07/2018 12:05

Won't the RAF give him all manner of transferable skills. I thought ex military people were very employable in all sorts of roles?

Metoodear · 30/07/2018 12:05

You do know the RAF will pay for you to study within your chosen area

Has she looked into wellbeck the defence 6th form however you do need c or above to get in they train officers from 16

MarthaArthur · 30/07/2018 12:06

Erm you know you have to be smart to get in the RAF and any role within the RAF have highly saught after skills right?
And it doesnt matter at all that his brother went to uni.
Serves you right. His humour will fit right into the military. Grin

Neverhot · 30/07/2018 12:09

You don’t think he will get any decent skills from joining the raf? Seriously? My husband is in the army and has so many skills, and brother in law is in the raf and probably has even more. He started as an aircraft technician and is now training to be an air traffic controller and will be an officer soon. As previous posters have said, if he ever decides to sign off they will spend 12 months and thousands training him to prepare him for his chosen career in civilian life.

Original poster
sweetfeyd · 30/07/2018 12:09

I'm not getting on him for joining the RAF, my DH knows more and he is supportive, he just would have preferred he went for a technical trade as he worked in communications and did very well once he left. That's what made me worry about qualifications.

I admit it is amusing, its the money spent that annoyed me!

OP posts:
Neverhot · 30/07/2018 12:12

He can learn and transfer to new trades once he is in. I’m not sure how the raf works but with the army you do a barb test to see which trades you are suitable for.