Spyderbiggles,
Agree with 2NDB. I did most of my earlier training at one of the other LARGER organisations and while they had all the pomp and ceremony of "we're training professional pilots," the actual training was assembly-line pilot training, pumping out CPL's (and new instructors) with little knowledge beyond that of the syllabus (and trivia about heavies meaninless in GA) and where to correctly hang their sunglasses.
Switched to PBAFT for to complete CPL and found focus more on actual professional pilot "skills and knowledge" rather than image.
Even they are not everything though. Try and make contacts with a workshop, restorer, gliding club, drop zone... that will allow you to spend some time assisting under the supervision of an engineer with the cowls off, learning how to take the plugs out without breaking the terminals, etc. Nothing sadder than the CPL on a charter who falls to pieces just cause the starter isn't engaging straight away (watched it happen, & am amazed passenger didn't abort trip).
Cheers JP
(Won't post, but will email you more specifics if you want 'em.)