There have always been lots of people who don't make it through the college but remember lots of people DO make it through the college and validate. It's the old glass half full/empty thing.
You could argue that it is now easier to get through the college because there are fewer assessments and therefore fewer hurdles to get over with your one life line.
When I went through you had summatives at the end of Aerodrome 1, 2 lots of summatives in Aerodrome 2, Radar Skills, Area 1 and then Area 2. Also with every course there were written exams and oral boards where you could fail.
Now, unless i'm wrong you have just 3 courses to get through with a life line available for a re-course.
Couldn't be easier!