A Levels or Apprenticeship

[aliciasmama]

I am in a bit of a quandary and was looking for a bit of help. My Stepson lives with us and is currently in his final ( GCSE) year at school he is predicted Bs pretty much across the board but he is really having to work for them. He has never really 'Gelled' with school and suffered some mild bullying in his earlier secondary years Basically He wants out and His Dad , my DH wants him to stay for A Levels ( his Mum sadly isn't around to have a say)
He is interested in doing an Electrical course with Local company Clarkson Evans who seem to be totally Legit (for all in know about such things) and seems pretty determined but DH thinks he's making a mistake and has the ( perhaps outdated) view that Formal Education is always preferable. I see both points and feel torn. Should we just but out and Let Dss make up his own mind? any body who has had similar experiences or has any advice?

Apprenticeship definitely. If he doesn't want to do A levels he won't work and will either fail or drop out. Tbh if he's working his socks off to get Bs he's going to have to continue to work his socks off and probably wouldn't get much more than Es.

He can always do a level 3 qualification later once he's got some experience under his belt. It's not now or never.

I agree with titchy - at that age he needs to do what motivates him.
If it doesn't work out, he can always start A-levels (or another course) at a later date, but there's every chance he will do very well on his apprenticeship.

Some people do have am old fashion view that unless you do 'A' levels then you are wasting your life.

As titchy says if he is getting predicted Bs after grafting hard 'A' levels will probably be too much of a jump.

There is nothing shameful about doing an Apprenticeship but do make sure it is run properly. A friend's son is doing n electrician's one and is being messed around something rotten. If he is predicted 's he could try applying to the larger companies. Here the larger ones offer a really good scheme and as long as you work hard and do well you are virtually guaranteed a job at the end. They do start recruiting early so he needs to look now.

The other option is to do a BTEC Level 3 course (equivalent I think to 2 'A' levels) or BTEC extended Level 3 course (equivalent 3 'A' levels).

My DS although he went through secondary school without issues except for laziness did not like school has blossomed at the college doing a BTEC course and is doing really well.

Do not let your DH make him do something he doesn't want. I still resent my parents for this and it was 30 odd years ago.

Thank you all, I am firmly coming down on the side of Apprenticeship now i think especially after reading this article this morning

www.telegraph.co.uk/education/further-education/11457331/Apprenticeships-debt-free-at-23-and-on-a-30k-salary.html

I will definitely be showing it to DH later on!

Look at the Clarkson Evans website. They are Vocational Training Company of the Year for 2014. I assume this is the same company. They are nationwide and appear more than totally legit!!! Have you actually looked at their web site - there is a lot about their apprenticeships on it! Definitely do the apprenticeship if he has been offered one.

Apprenticeship definitely!
Where would A levels lead to? University and a mountain of debt?
Be aware though that some apprenticeships do lead to loss of CB

Don't let his father force him to do A levels. It is such a big mistake. Vocational degrees are so important and if he isn't academic he won't stick at it. So much emphasis has been placed on university degrees. Far better to do a vocational training and get other qualifications when he feels able. He might be a brilliant electrician by then and earning more than some graduates without the debt.