Two comments:
First of all, it's nice to see that there is stiff competition for the ETPS FTE spots within Boscombe. When I was there (some mornings it feels like that was just shortly after aviation was invented), it was not viewed as a 'good thing' for an aspiring young man to do.
Secondly, we are getting more and more FTE's from helicopter companies coming through our variety of courses here at NTPS, so the companies are starting to realize the importance of training. All is not lost if you go to work for one of the manufacturers.