Engineering in the armed forces for DS

[Sasssquatch]

I know there’s a ton on recruitment and career paths available on the net but hoping for some more chatty info / advice

DS who is 16 had said he categorically does not want to go to university. He’s currently doing a levels in computer science / design & technology and physics. He’s bright but lazy and had diagnosed developmental coordination disorder (formerly known as dyspraxia)

I can see the various paths (degree then enrol / enroll after a levels) but I don’t really know wjere to start with narrowing down his options and what the reality of that sort of career path would look like. He’s mentioned civil and electrical engineering.

I know it’s on him but given his DCD and inherent laziness I’d like to not step back totally from this and to be able to support him with understanding the realities.

anyone for any insight? Thanks :)

Has he looked at non armed forces apprenticeships? Some are available in the defence industry too. Civil and electronic / electrical engineering are quite different though.
Is he in or could join a cadet force?

Thanks. No he’s not a cadet. I’ve been trying to interest him in apprenticeships. My company actually does a really well restarted scheme so I’ve got a bit of knowledge but certainly ours are highly competitive and I’m not sure he’s capable of selling himself to that degree. He’s very introverted.

All you can do is point him in the right direction.

TBH the biggest issue is the laziness. Companies (and the forces) expect to see a good return for the money that they are spending on their apprentices.

Is he neurodiverse? If so, be prepared to give him a bit more time before shoehorning him into a career path. His 'lazyness' might be exhaustion.

In what way does his DCD impact him? (I have 2 with very different traits).
(Just worried he may not get through the basic training part of armed services.)

Does he know which armed force? eg the RAF might suit him better than Army.

Or as others have said a normal apprenticeship / degree apprenticeship?