options again - engineering diploma advice

[someonesgotthenameichose]

ds cant decide what to do.
he did want to be a journalist but they have had an after school club and the journalist they had in said it doesnt pay well, so that has put him off.

he is stressing about what choices to make and now thinks he wants to do an engineering diploma with ocr course ict (and the standard subjects they have to take - which would mean dual science award vs separate sciences)

he had been thinking of separate sciences, double ict (instead of a language and a 'half' gcse ict,)drama and resistant materials.

I think that it would be best to keep with the separate science option to keep things open but want advice if he did decide to do engineering post gcse would the engineering diploma help or make no difference?

I think separate sciences and maths are the most important. If he is more likely to go the apprenticeship route then uni the diploma might be better, but apprenticeships are fairly scarce. Traditional unis would rather see traditional subjects - so a language would be good - but I've not heard of resistant materials as a subject so not sure whether it is recognised.Not sure its an easier way to make more money than a journalist unless he gets a trade though - then he'll earn more earlier but unless he sets up own business earnings wages are unlikely to go up loads. It can be a good way to earn a living but its not guaranteed (like anything I suppose!).

Engineering diploma OK if he intends to leave school after GCSEs and get an apprenticeship.
If he wants to go on to university, he'd need Double Science GCSE (or triple) then Maths and Physics AS/A2 plus other subjects.

Resistant Materials can be good at A level for engineering, but it can be less well regarded for a non-engineering course.

At GCSE I think it would help him to decide if he really does enjoy engineering.

(From a mum with DS taking RM at GCSE and planning to take it to A Level, but since he was tiny DS has loved everything to do with engineering, so wants to do an engineering degree at Uni.
FWIW DS is studying separate sciences at GCSE, plus Maths, ICT, RM, Geography, English, RE and sport
He is planning on Maths, FM, Physics, Chemistry and RM at AS then will drop one and take 4 to A2.)

thanks for your responses

i dont know that he would want to go to uni - he is clever but lazy

if he does diploma then it limits him if he doesnt want to do engineering

i think he really isnt sure what he wants to do but thinks this is a good option as its vocational he may be more in with a chance of getting work

but the thing is i am sure he could do the advanced diploma post 16 without having done the age 14 - 16 one anyway.

i need to contact the school as well i guess!