Hey Aaron,
Welcome to the forums.
Do your parents have the 'resources' to fund the cost of the iCP course and the need to support you and your loan repayments if/when you come back from NZ and are waiting for a job? If the answer is no, then I suggest you forget about CTC for now whilst you do something like:
- Look for a research a cheaper alternative (America)
- Go to work and try to save as much money as possible for a few years.
- apply to CTC and other FTOs who are offering sponsorships.
Obviously the latter is only applicable if you have A Levels. No one will be interested in someone who doesn't have A Levels (like me). Clearly we don't have the aptitude to fly an aircraft as well as someone with A-Levels in French and Theatre Studies! (can you taste the sarcasm there?). I know how important it is to be able to woo the Cabin Crew with your French Oral.. I'm not bitter - honest!
With regards to your question - don't accept anything with CTC until you have talked with your parents thoroughly and know you've made the right choice. At the end of the day CTC are a business so try not to think about that they're telling you to do.
I'd agree that yes, you probably do have a greater chance of getting a job when coming from a CTC background but can you really justify spending an extra £30,000 for the pleasure of employment? That's a lot of money! More than most peoples annual salary! I know lots of people that have gone to America to train and are now in employment with UK airlines. You're just going to have to be strict with yourself and make sure you study hard if you do choose this route. Who knows - that money you saved on loan repayments from not going to CTC could come in handy when you're paying off your type rating.
I hope you make the decision that's best for you - good luck!
S88