I have said before you cant tar a whole countrys FTOs´with the same brush.
I have heard many stories re certain companies in Spain, but Aerodynamics Malaga has 1st class training, and others will agree, even the ones who have successfully passed sim checks recently Im sure, its people like you who give the country a bad name because of what you have heard/witnessed from other schools and hear say.
There are good schools in Spain.
My airline laughs at Spanish CV's
most dont
Poor standards on renewal, well thats down to the individual, after a year not flying IR then I would imagine anybody could be a bit rusty. So if that person needed a bit of a refresher, then 10hrs in a FNPT2 at 140 GBP p/h total 1400
Its still a massive saving on UK, whos prices dont normally include A/C for test or test fees, so the cost is considerably more.
As for your friends who are currently dealing with people at there FTOs, it would be more relevant if you found out where these "frighteningly bad" people trained, otherwise its a pointless comment.
The CAA examiners have great concern with Spanish "schools" their direct quote was "they are on borrowed time
What has the CAA got to do with Spanish schools? genuine question
Final word, what about all the currently employed pilots in Spain and around the world who trained in Spain, should they not be in the air?