A levels without GCSEs

The jump from GCSE to A level maths is quite a step - also, some areas do separate Pure and Applied, some lump them together - do you know where his strengths are?       Pure is all solving equations, applied is solving real-world problems - I preferred applied-  it was more relatable.

I couldn't tell you about computer science - I'm not familiar with the current course content.

Is this likely to be distance learning, school or college based?   

He seems to be quite good at both. But probably prefers applied as well. He learns best by creating his own simulations of things so he can understand every aspect. He would prefer online learning 

What is he looking to do afterwards?    Uni or employment?    And does he think he will survive in a 9-5 office environment?    With only A-levels, he'll be in fairly junior positions watching new-start uni grads being promoted over him for ever.

Another niche 'hands on' techy job is building management - looking after all the systems in large office buildings like heating and ventilation (HVAC), plumbing, boilers, electrical distribution, lighting, doors and windows etc. .    There's typically a maintenance planning and control program that schedules the work and this creates the paperwork for the contractors to work to and a team of guys doing the basics like cleaning.   Getting into the programming side is quite rewarding and is often a nice quiet job that someone can excel at and have satisfaction of complete control..   You become the hub for all the contractors and workers to be directed from and for the company occupying the building to come to you with issues.

Off the record, it;s a great job for freebies and perks from contract companies at annual renewal time........

It's great because no two days are ever the same.

Another niche programming area is ERP systems - basically like a stock control system for manufacturing that drives and keeps track of the manufacturing process - from raw material in to finished item out - it measures the efficiency of the workers, keeps a check on the wear of their tools, overseas the SCADA system controlling the machines, liaises with suppliers for inventory and produces instant management reports.    The challenge for the programmer is to get it all synchronised so the production line is like watching a ballet.     Think how complex these systems are in a global manufacturer like Ford.

I've installed a couple from scratch in 2 companies.

That sounds great, thank you Plastic, I'll suggest it to him. He's currently doing some coding for a local IT company, remotely, as work experience, while he studies, which is a start. So I'll let him know what you said and go from there

He's going to struggle with work if he can't cope with the commitment and discipline of a school environment - almost all of the people who want to code don't realise that coding is a tiny part of the job - there's all the planning meetings, documentation, testing and living with office politics and rubbish management pushing stupid deadlines to please the customer and upper management - it's not necessarily a job he will be capable of surviving.

I would suggest he looks at himself and his capabilities and think carefully about the life he wants to live - what alternatives to toxic work environments can he see himself in?.   

I've picked up many skills over the years and I spotted an niche in SCADA systems and PLC programming - these are control systems for factories - controlling robots and conveyor systems - it seems to be an area no-one considers.   Let him spend some time googling it and see if it lights his candle - it's very 'real' making big things move!

If it's interesting for him, he can probably get an apprenticeship in a company in that field.

You can also buy 'Smart Switches' which are a step above Lego automation for programming and they are used in industry to control small systems like ventilation or lighting - you can get one from ebay to play with for a few pounds - make sure you can get the programming software from the manufacturer - it's normally a free download    I liked the Moeller ones but the Siemens is more popular in the field.

What would you suggest?

What would you suggest?

Another niche 'hands on' techy job is building management - looking after all the systems in large office buildings like heating and ventilation (HVAC), plumbing, boilers, electrical distribution, lighting, doors and windows etc. .    There's typically a maintenance planning and control program that schedules the work and this creates the paperwork for the contractors to work to and a team of guys doing the basics like cleaning.   Getting into the programming side is quite rewarding and is often a nice quiet job that someone can excel at and have satisfaction of complete control..   You become the hub for all the contractors and workers to be directed from and for the company occupying the building to come to you with issues.

Off the record, it;s a great job for freebies and perks from contract companies at annual renewal time........

It's great because no two days are ever the same.

Another niche programming area is ERP systems - basically like a stock control system for manufacturing that drives and keeps track of the manufacturing process - from raw material in to finished item out - it measures the efficiency of the workers, keeps a check on the wear of their tools, overseas the SCADA system controlling the machines, liaises with suppliers for inventory and produces instant management reports.    The challenge for the programmer is to get it all synchronised so the production line is like watching a ballet.     Think how complex these systems are in a global manufacturer like Ford.

I've installed a couple from scratch in 2 companies.

That sounds great, thank you Plastic, I'll suggest it to him. He's currently doing some coding for a local IT company, remotely, as work experience, while he studies, which is a start. So I'll let him know what you said and go from there

He's going to struggle with work if he can't cope with the commitment and discipline of a school environment - almost all of the people who want to code don't realise that coding is a tiny part of the job - there's all the planning meetings, documentation, testing and living with office politics and rubbish management pushing stupid deadlines to please the customer and upper management - it's not necessarily a job he will be capable of surviving.

I would suggest he looks at himself and his capabilities and think carefully about the life he wants to live - what alternatives to toxic work environments can he see himself in?.   

I've picked up many skills over the years and I spotted an niche in SCADA systems and PLC programming - these are control systems for factories - controlling robots and conveyor systems - it seems to be an area no-one considers.   Let him spend some time googling it and see if it lights his candle - it's very 'real' making big things move!

If it's interesting for him, he can probably get an apprenticeship in a company in that field.

You can also buy 'Smart Switches' which are a step above Lego automation for programming and they are used in industry to control small systems like ventilation or lighting - you can get one from ebay to play with for a few pounds - make sure you can get the programming software from the manufacturer - it's normally a free download    I liked the Moeller ones but the Siemens is more popular in the field.