The CURRENT group of Mainline cadets that are going in (MAR/APR) were actually originally booked for QLink courses well over a year ago... but they were told to wait when everything came to a grinding holt. The vast majority of them HAVE been out there in the industry either instructing or flying charter around the bush. Many future cadets have not been as successful in finding work due to declining economic conditions.
QLink initially fund the full cost of the endorsement, and then upon starting employment the cadet pays back 50% of the endorsement cost. Rather than being bonded for 3 years as all direct entry applicants are, cadets are only bonded for 2, before they roll into Mainline. They pay a 'fee' essentially for leaving early.
Don't worry, at this stage QLink will only be bringing small numbers of Mainline Cadets in at a time... mixed with direct entry which will continue. As has been said, QLink want a mix of experience levels.
Traineeship program has been terminated.