I'll chuck in my six pennies worth.
Get the lad down the the Air Training Corps. Free gliding, some powered flying, and lots of other good things like Duke of Edinburgh, teamwork etc.
If he really enjoys that, then he can think about (you) paying (about £60,000) for his fATPL, or he might also think about joining the Services to fly. It's hard work, both to get in, and once in, but it's still a good life. My daughter is going down that route right now.