Ryanair
Hi Fancy Navigator,
If you're offered a cadet place with Ryanair, you are offered a fixed term 6 monthly training contract, which commences upon successful completion of a "Base Check" when you have returned from either CAE in Amsterdam or SAS in Sweden, having completed your Type rating on the B737-800. It is at this point you start getting paid.
This contract is not a guarantee of employment, but I think it is fairly safe to say that you would either need unforseen circumstances ie. Terrorism, or some other major down turn in Aviation, (if this was the case all companies would be affected not just FR) or for the cadet not to have reached the required standard, thereby not qualifying to be offered a job, at the end of the 6 month training contract. Which is probably not unique to Ryanair, I expect most companies have means of terminating a Cadets employment during the probationary period.
Hope this helps
Dan98