I know nothing about the pilot recruitment and retention issues, but I can recognise consultancy/management gobbledegook when I see it. Consultants perfectly complement the public sector. If the project for which they have been engaged is successful, Sir Humphrey can glow in his skilful management of that project. If it doesn't, Sir Humphrey can form a committee to conclude that the consultants' poor advice was the cause of said disaster.
Or am I being too cynical?