Engineer,
What you say is wonderful, if only the system within which I work allowed such latitude. When I was in a much more senior position on another aircraft type, I 'converted' several sim checks to training sessions at an early stage when it was obvious that the trainee was headed for failure. For my sins, I took a bit of 'heat' from higher management, but the trainee's egos and confidence were saved, and all passed after 1 or 2 more training sessions.
Now, in a position of less managerial authority in the checking area on a higher type, I have no choice within our system but to declare 'Pass' or 'Fail', Black or White, no shades of Grey, and hurl the poor unfortunate candidate back to the mercys of the system.
If only.......................
Regards,
Old Smokey