thats rubbish as far as im concerned 1000+ jobs,threat tactics,its very hard to see them losing the contract,theres one or two other companies in the running but i hear srt will get it.
shamrock aviation in waterford fix light aircraft and i think they have taken apprentices before,give some flying clubs in weston in dublin a ring and ask them who fixes their planes and in turn ask them are they willing to take you,you could always train as an apprentice anywhere and once qualified some light a/c place might take you on.