As I understand it the local authority (the GCAA) would not recognise a helicopter if it landed on their head. They have no examiners, inspectors or anyone with helicopter experience.
The current GM was given his license beacause he bought the head of licensing a nice paperweight with the Horizon logo on it. Much more important than any flight check!
Do not even imagine that Horizon will be training people to JAR standards. If it was, then they would allow JAR standards to operate throughout the operation.
No, Horizon's primary role is to look nice, which will work great, right up until the first accident. The fun then will be working out who the GM will blame, as none of the gross mismanagement, poor allocation of resources, breaches of regulations etc, will be his fault!
Makes me glad I never went there, but I feel sorry for the poor b*stards who are still there when the wheel comes off.