I'm with flybywire on this one.
I got into Air Traffic in a similar way ... well worth it.
Whilst doing the GA airfield dogs body - try flying clubs and the like too - you can still apply to NATS.
I would really stress that the £1000 course will probably not get you very far. A Meteorological Observers Cert from the met office would prob be money better spent.
But I think it's worth keeping in your pocket mate, not someone elses.