Pleased to see BA have resumed full sponsorship.
A brief reminder of history. What is now BA, operated full sponsorships at Hamble which came to an end in (?)1973/4 as the oil crisis with the UK 3 day week caused serious economic implications.
It wasn’t until 1987 that the scheme restarted at Oxford & British Aerospace Flying College, Prestwick.
Students were chosen on merit where the ability to fund it was not an issue.
They were paid £27pw pocket money staying in residential accommodation.
Courses of 16 started each month on a 16 month course. The final month was what is now MCC/APS.
Then to BA for the type rating etc
The first Gulf War in August 1990 caused a rethink of the scheme, ending 2 years later with BA flight engineers retrained as pilots.
This new scheme will also choose individuals based on merit.
Individuals are trying to read all sorts of ‘social engineering’ aspects into the selection process.
It is simply not in BA interests to operate any form of quotas as this by definition will increase the failure rate.
And finally as a possible contentious point, the final decision to select from the pool of suitable candidates are best done by pilots & not HR.
“Light blue touch paper & retire”