Thanks WWW for answering the question. Obviously if there were a shortage of new recruits the FTOs are not going to admit it. I was wondering if anyone who has recently started with FTE/Bristol/CTC/OAA/Cabair/etc could give some indication of how many people are appearing on recent courses?
Whether or not going into training now is a sensible option is another question.
Certainly, I'm glad I'm not coming out of training anytime soon and I have sympathies for anyone who is, and is struggling to find employment.
However, what is of concern to me and others in my position is the job situation in a couple of years from now. Clearly, there is a risk that a recession will not be over, or if it is, it's effects are still felt. Clearly, there is a danger that there is a 'backlog' of CPL/IRs still looking for their first job.
On the other hand, if I'm training during a recession, I don't have to look for a job elsewhere. The airline industry is not the only industry that is facing a recession and therefore shortage of jobs. Those saying 'don't do it' assume that it is straightforward to gain alternative employment. In my case, I have saved the funds to pay for my training, I'm going to have to take a year or so out of employment sometime to train, and now seems quite a good time to do that. I could do it part-time, taking breaks to do a bit of training, but again, finding decently paid employment in-between training courses is not necessarily straightforward. How many employers are going to say 'yeh, no problem, take a couple of months off work to train to work for someone else then come back?'
Those are my reasons for considering going into full-time training now. I'm just interested if there are any others? (Although it takes a bit of confidence to admit it here, and risk the danger of being given a hard time!)