Hammer,
Go with the degree option, NATS will wait and you might change your mind in the coming years. 16 is just too young to be making huge decisions.
I beleive the Degree wont do you any harm and you will then approach a career decision from a more mature posititon. i follwoed a similar path and have no regrets.
Otherwise, if you are looking for unsociable hours and low pay, go for it
