Tech Boy
They could have been right about the exemptions...there are very few allowed.
As for the rest, if you want to go with CoBC then I suggest you make very, very sure that you have the following statements from CoBC, in writing on headed paper signed by a responsible person;
1 The course on offer is a Fully-Approved Basic Training course, in Category XXX, and is in full compliance with all relevant regulations in force on the date of the staement, including but not limited to Parts 66 and 147 and the associated AMC/GM.
2. Subject to successful completion of required examinations and assessments, students will be issued with an EASA Practical Training Certificate on completion of the course, without any need whatsoever to undergo any other training of any kind.
3. The course includes,
for completion within the stated duration of the course, all 3 of the following;
- the minimum required hours of classroom teaching as per CoBC MTOE, and examinations for all required Modules, with up to (say) 2 resits of any examinations,and
- the minimum number of required hours of Practical Training in accordance with EASA requirements, including assessments by fully-approved assessors, and
- the minimum number of required hours of OJT arranged by CoBC at CoBC's entire expense and carried out in full accordance with relevant EASA legislation as to the planning, supervision and instruction of the OJT, and provison of assessors and assessments.
None of that is controversial IF CoBC really is providing a proper, fully-approved Basic Training course, and they would have no problem making that declaration.
Any prevarication, amendment and so on merely tells you to walk away, because they are up to their old tricks.
It would also be advisable to contact the CAA Part 147 Surveyors office to speak to the CoBC Surveyor to confirm that they are doing all that. However don't be surprised if they refuse to talk to you with some spurious excuse.
The KLM promise is an empty one, of course, as you have spotted. It means "If you complete the course well, if we like you, and if there just happens to be a vacancy at the time you become available, we will place you on the list of candidates to talk to. But we will take someone with more experience if we have a choice."
Be very wary of Kingston, Newcastle and other colleges, and LRTT when it comes to the vexed question of providing the required OJT within a Basic Training course as an integral element of it. They all have the same problem as CoBC. Ask for the same statements.
Flybe have a better offer, a "guaranteed job" at the end of their apprenticeship, which also delivers a Cat B licence becuase it includes the 2 years work experience. But you have to get to the end, and there are ways and means of thinning out the numbers during the 4 year course if there are too many to take on. But, that little caveat aside, it is a genuine offer, and the Flybe apprenticeship is a good one.