Hi Arthur
I fly around the same airspace and this instruction at first I would understand "cleared to intercept the ILS final approach course and proceed on the approach"
If I happen to arrive on an opposing heading I would then ask if I can self position myself the way it suits me best (or them - ATC).
If their intention was to make your friends execute the full procedure then the instruction would be more to line of "Fly direct SJC VOR and then cleared for the approach report outbound"
Hope it helps,