Oh, the industry will want them...a big gap will need filling. Good luck to them and I just hope the advice offered in this thread finds its way into the academy/ college classroom.
Until the last two years, this course was designed around the CAA modules and as a result was almost 95% theory. Although they had a Boeing 737 in the car park, limited use was made of it due to the demands of the licence modules.
Only one example, I know, but the above is one of the reasons why students from acadamies have a bad rep in the industry. Not their fault, but the academy's......who took their money and churned them out.
The foundation degree is offered to provide funding for the teaching of the licence modules.
I think it is becoming clearer.....the course is a glorified BTECH but called a FD to attract funding?
Here's something to think about.....in the future (say 10 years) will it only be possible to be a B1/ B2 licence holder if you have a degree in a related subject? Who know's.....