Hi Mosdwt.
You say you'll be helping to fund your son. To what extent? If your son has any electrical experience and you have a spare £6,000 then an intensive course may be the way to go for him.
This would cover him for Domestic installations
>>>> *Please place your input on the ins and outs Shakey* <<<<
(He's a member on here that teaches these courses Mosdwt)
If not, then he's going to have to look at going to college for 3yrs minimum.
He'd want to enrol on the City and Guilds 2330 Level 2 (2yrs) followed by
City and Guilds 2330 Level 3 (1yr). Costs could be £3,000 max for all 3yrs (£1,000 per yr).
These would be his 'base' foundation courses that would cover him for commercial/industrial and domestic installations and are more or less a minimum requirement here now. Let's leave at that for now regarding courses.
Employment opportunities regarding apprenticeships...That's a different matter. Especially if you don't know somebody who can help out.
Think of it from the employers point of view. He can pay a school leaving apprentice a LOT less than a 25yr old apprentice. BUT, if the employer has half a brain, he should realise that a 25yr old generally has a better aptitude towards work and is more mentally mature (generally).
Basically he's going to need to ask around, phone, visit, e-mail, etc. It's a hard graft, age isn't necessarily against him (I'm 29 and just started an apprenticeship, VERY LUCKY) but a good attitude and the fact that he's enrolled/enrolling at college will/can help.
(He will have missed the enrolment for this year and will have to enrol around June/July 2009 now, to start in Sept)
Erm...I can't think of anything else to add at the moment. Sure I've missed some things out but no doubt people on here will help fill you in.
Hope I've helped to clarify some matters for you? Any more queries, please don't hesitate to ask.