i have to disagree with you there,your years behind.SAL definitely don't task train people anymore,they send them for experience in all different workstations like you mention twith the other guys,my friend works there as an apprentice.
I dont think you'l find a class of fully licensed engineers after the 4 year apprenticeship in AAAE,some with the basic license yes but not full,and the percentage of people who pass all the modules/essays first go within the 4 years is not as high as your making it out to me,i lived with some air atlanta guys and its horror the stories,like being timed how long they were gone to the jacks,a connie I worked with recently also confirmed this,although there is horror stories about both places.
i know everyone has different views but i looked at this a great deal having spoken and shared accomodation with people in both places.unbiased,id go for the quickest route.
however something everyone will agree on is that shannon is a dump and SRT would be good as your not stuck in shannon,alternatively theres cityjet and ryanair also take apprentices.