Schemes like this will, eventually, largely replace the ad-hoc hour-building route that has been the staple for airlines over the last 50 years. I think it's probable that such schemes will be open to self-sponsoring students, but they will still require selection by the scheme operator.
From the perspective of aviation I am not qualified to comment. However, from the perspective of business in general, my view is that these out-sourced external supplier relationships rearly provide the expected quality of goods. When the JAA has standardised every nut, bolt, computer system and form of flight and fleet ops then I imagine these schemes will take off as all training can then be encapsulated into a neat package mass produced for the airline market. In such a situation, also, I imagine so will salaries be about the same as a Call Centre worker's salary. Just writing this was depressing. Somebody please pointedly disagree or I'll see you at Fight Club
