Jamie,
I would suggest that if you actually want to get dirty and work on aircraft that your going to want to aim to become licensed.
If you go to the CAA website and look up the ELGD, engineers licensing guidance document it gives you most of the info your looking for.
I my get hunted down by your mother for suggesting this, but you could join the military to get the experience and sit your exams, a lot of engineers in the industry are ex-military... it pays better than an apprenticeship, that's if you can get one.
Good luck