[almostnormal]

hello ben.

i don't want to sound all serious and lecture-ish but i would recommend sitting a-levels and going to college, or going to college after GCSE's. there are a few colleges that have specialist environmental and conservation type courses. the more qualifications you have the easier it will be in the long run to get a job. BUT, having said that, i'd also have to agree with at. you can't beat a bit of hands on experience to tip the scales in your favour - the more you get the better chance you'll have of getting a job. i went to college, and i got my qualifications, but it was my dedicated volunteering that tipped the scales in my favour, because the job i went for was with the people i'd been volunteering with for 2years, so they knew me and my abilities pretty well.

i'd see about getting in touch with your local wildlife trust and nature reserves and see what they have going. there's sometimes an minimum age, but they may have local youth groups that do stuff.

it might be worth seeing if you can find out who your local newt and bird people are as well, because having newt licences and bird ringing skills are also an added bonus, particularly in reserves based work.

hope this helps,

sarah