I completely agree with the point that we need more practical experience.
My route is a pretty good example of that. I started my appertenship in 1986, I qualified in 1990,january 1st, was on my first licence course 01st march, ok it was the DC9/MD80 on which I spent my entire apprentenship so I had some practical experience on the a/c, completed the course and had licence in hand 01 july. I have ever since envied my fellow apprentenses who got 2-3 years under their belts before they got their licences.
The problem overhere is that the authorities does require 24 months of practical experience, but you can count your apprentenship, and if it is an a/c type new to the country, 40 hours of instructer guided OJT is enough, an even that is being erroded since a JAR147 is self governing ei no authority spot check required.
Brgds
Doc