I was taken to the Air Day, 1960's, at Halfpenny Green by my best mate's Dad and as soon as I saw the planes I was smitten! I used to ride my sisters bike there just to sit on the gates at the end of the runway an watch them.
Tried for apprenticeships with BOAC, BEA, BMI and finally joined the RAF as a Mechanic.
Still no qualification apart from CGLI Part 2
...but I do have a Licence now, and a lot of experience in a variety of aviation fields, and I've never been short of a job.
As well as my work I do some consultancy on the side.