I really feel for all the apprentices currently at QF. No one knows where all this is going to end up least of all QF management.
I have a feeling that they are more likely to keep you guys when you finish your apprenticeship you will be cheaper than LAMES to employ.
However I don't want to give false expectations because they have sacked whole intakes in the past on more than 1 occassion.
Training is going to be very hard to come by as they want to increase the percentage of AMEs to LAMES.
I don't know what a 1st year AME would get(probably around 35K before shift penalties) but a single licence LAME would get around 52k base which would be a max 70k if you worked a 24/7 shift.
As for having a long and satisfying career......???? Pay and conditions are continually being eroded for all airline staff.(the same is happening to pilots and flight attendants).
My only advice is to work hard and gain as many skills and accreditations as QF can give you. Keep your options open.