and a minimum of 2 years experience regardless of prior experience.
Yes, strictly that's true, but in fact there's no change to experience reqirements, as far as I can see; this is an extract from 1149/2011
(a) An applicant for an aircraft maintenance licence shall have acquired:
1. for category A, subcategories B1.2 and B1.4 and category B3:
(i) 3 years of practical maintenance experience on operating aircraft, if the applicant has no previous relevant technical training; or
(ii) 2 years of practical maintenance experience on operating aircraft and completion of training considered relevant by the competent authority as a skilled worker, in a technical trade; or
(iii) 1 year of practical maintenance experience on operating aircraft and completion of a basic training course approved in accordance with Annex IV (Part-147);
2. for category B2 and subcategories B1.1 and B1.3:
(i) 5 years of practical maintenance experience on operating aircraft if the applicant has no previous relevant technical training; or
(ii) 3 years of practical maintenance experience on operating aircraft and completion of training considered relevant by the competent authority as a skilled worker, in a technical trade; or
(iii) 2 years of practical maintenance experience on operating aircraft and completion of a basic training course approved in accordance with Annex IV (Part-147);
I have not yet compared that with the previous words, but at first sight it looks the same. The point I have been hammering on this and other threads is the the approved course mentioned in 1(iii) and 2(iii) above MUST include the OJT element. If students are told to go off and get their own the course ceases to be approved, IF the NAA is doing its job properly.