PES with out knowing it you have opened a discussion that has 2 big points of view. but ill answer your question first. NO. that is the price of one brand new. once bought used is used. So the best that guy can hope for at a pawn shop is 200 maybe 250. Is this a kick a$$ AX? YEP sure it is,, but its also like buying a GSXR1200 for a novice. There is a lot of bling on that guitar that will overwhem a beginner. Stringing a full locking trem is a task in itsself to learn the correct way. this is the guitar if you have not see the pic. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/ibanez-rgt42dxfm-electric-guitar

Does he own any guitar? Just starting. now to teh ACoustic v/s electric question : here is a long thread on this topic from my guitar forum and BTW this is THE BEST GUITAR COMMUNITY HANDS DOWN compare it to BA.com in its own right. so here is a link, you can view as a non member but not post just like here http://www.chordie.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=20576

and this is where I stand on the topic to save you having to read everything if you dont want to:

As much as I respect Jarome and his excelent knowledge,, I have to say the oppisite here. When I was learning on the acoustic,, I got bored and it was harder to get going on. The day I got a electric,, I never put it down. I was able to learn all my open chords faster with less finger pain, I was able to play root 5ths in a day. When I got bored of open chords I could switch to the Dirty channel and bang out power chords all day just having fun. After I got confident with that I found picking up the Acoustic wasmuch easier and I was able to get stuff going on it also.

Once again it boils down to the main answer on this page,, Try both and see what works for you Just keep at it and it will not dissapoint.

I will offer any of my other opinions as to a good starter AX when asked. Only thing I will say is STAY AWAY FROM FIRST ACT GUITARS. ( As you mentioned trade school I m guessing at least teenager.) I would highly recomend him joining chordie, introduce himself and have him read various topics and look for things that hes has not even asked about ( Hey just like in here)
hope this helps.

P.S. No mater what kind of guitar he gets, He needs to have it properly "set-up" by a tech. if he is getting it at a music store, they set most of there stuff up for free if you buy it there or its been pre set befor hitting the shelf. I have bought 3 guitars online from Musicians friend and Music 123 (all owned by same parent co) they are always nice an playable out of the box, If private seller, ask if it can be checked out by a shop first. Every guitar needs a set up to really be playable to its most potential.