Year 12s: what will be the first way you research your future options? >>

for level three courses

Hi all, wondering if anyone out there has any knowledge of this. I am just completing a level three diploma - a pre -cadetship for the merchant navy, howvever i do not want to follow this through to a degree, but instead want to move into renewable energies.The current courses in this area start at a level 3, only 14 weeks full time, then onto a further level 3 at 17 weeks .Is there a limited to how many level three courses i can do, or as the advanced loans cover 1 year plus 1 yr ,am i covered for this training.would i be stung if i then went on to access a degree at a later date.
the other option is a two year level 3 dip course, however would my initial one year previous cadet course mean that i have to pay for the second year of this course myself.
if anyone has found a useful phone contact for speaking to someone in the know could you let me know as waiting for email messages to help clarify and make choices is very time limiting.