Silver..
Sorry if I sound bitter, that is not my intention. I just don't see that it makes economic sense in the current climate of 'self sponsorship' etc. Why spend 2 years 'moulding' somebody - I know from experince in large companies it does not take 2 years to do this, you offer a good working environment and adequate rewards and people soon fit in to the corporate ideals. If you offer this environment people tend to want to stay, rather than 'punishing them' to the tune of thousands of pounds for daring to leave.
As for the idea coming from the MD with vast amount of flying experience, I cannot say whether that is the case and I take my hat off and bough to his flying skills etc, but in an industry where we are always told an airline might decide on Friday that it needs 10 pilots on Monday I cannot see how a 2 year plan fits in when those pilots are already out there and more than eager to be 'moulded' for fair reward.