education at 17

squizz11

My son is 17 and wants to be an engineer specifically on the railways in some form or another.   He is just finishing a city and guilds in engineering. 

For this course he found work experience which has led to a job in a mechanical engineering firm.

our dilemma is he can't apply for railway jobs till he 18, he is 6 months from that.

We can't think of a college course that will help him or that he is remotely interested in,  His current job may keep him on and he wants to get to level 2 in welding and apply for apprenticeships in January.   

is there any ramifications for leaving college 3 months before his 18th birthday

thanks

tacpot12

I don't think there would be any ramifications. There might be if he was dropping out of college, but he's finished his C&G course, and he has a reasonable reason for not wanting to start another long term course of study. 

The welding course sounds like a positive move. It's a valuable skill, it's relevant to railway engineering, and there will be a strong safety component. A Level 2 in welding is only a start, but it's a start in a useful direction. If his current employer is happy to keep him on, this is also a vote of confidence in him. He might even find that he likes the work. 
 

marcia_

squizz11 said:

My son is 17 and wants to be an engineer specifically on the railways in some form or another.   He is just finishing a city and guilds in engineering. 

For this course he found work experience which has led to a job in a mechanical engineering firm.

our dilemma is he can't apply for railway jobs till he 18, he is 6 months from that.

We can't think of a college course that will help him or that he is remotely interested in,  His current job may keep him on and he wants to get to level 2 in welding and apply for apprenticeships in January.   

is there any ramifications for leaving college 3 months before his 18th birthday

thanks

 The only problem I can think of is if you claim any benefits like child tax credit it will stop

sheramber

It depends on what country you are in.

https://www.gov.uk/know-when-you-can-leave-school