Witchdoctor,
It was created through a process that involved asking current/past students to apply for the new course.
I don't understand what evidence you base this piece of information on. The selection tests used are those designed by EPST as can be found here
http://www.epst.com/aselection.html These are exactly the same COMPASS tests that are used by selection procedures throughout many airlines (including the one being used at the current CTC selection), so to suggest that the selection has been designed by past/current students is ludicrous! What would be the merit in that? I took the selection tests, so I can vouch for exactly what they consist of.
OAT is a business, and without sponsored cadets it will take as many self-sponsored cadets as it takes to keep the tills ringing, and the entry standards will ultimately have to reflect this.
Yes, indeed OAT is a business and it is in its interests to train as many self sponsored cadets as possible. If OAT were to start to run short of sponsored cadets then, yes, the entry standards would have to be flexible to keep the self-sponsored cadets rolling in.
As it stands OAT is no where near short on sponsored cadets (they have a hell of a lot from Algeria there at the moment) and they are still pouring in e.g. BMI sending cadets there recently. In actual fact the facilites at Oxford are at capacity with the number of students there.
I believe what Oxford are hoping for with the APP is a self-perpetuating scheme whereby they are selective with who they take on the course and the numbers. They give these select handful very good airline orientated training. The end result is a cadet who is very employable. Once the APP course has got underway and they getting the graduates into employment then the course can boast impressive employment statistics. This means that in due course the APP will be in demand and not the other way round i.e. OAT lowering its entry requirements to fill courses. This must be their way of thinking or, as you say, it would make no economic sense to start reducing the numbers.
Also, what guarantee do you have that OAT will forward your CV to an employer? They can't forward everybody's as they would lose all credibility, so on what basis do they then select them? It wouldn't be good for continuing business if only the top x percent in each course are put forward. Students would leave as soon as it became apparent they weren't going to make the grade and take their business to a cheaper school.
When you join the APP course, part of the agreement is that they will actively seek out your first employment post as an airline pilot. This involves researching all available positions and proposing your cv (or your course's cv's) to the airline, as there is only 20 per course.
OAT really have gone all out on this APP course. They have a brand new selection suite and have ordered a **** load of new simulators. It seems that they have put a lot of thought into it. For such a large business to make such a drastic move surely indicates how confident they are of its success and that it wil be a hit in the future.
Look at it this way:
- Employers have always shown a preference for cadets from Oxford.
- The training has just been streamlined in accordance with airlines requests.
- The cadet has had to go through selection to get there and will be the type of person the airline is looking for.
- Airlines will always be looking for the cheapest way to get cadets.
- The APP course and its selection is exatly the same course that BMI are using. So in effect its like going through the sponsored course but without being tied down to one airline in the end.
You have some valid points, but I really think you should research the APP a bit more and try not to be blinded by what you believe to be OAT's bad intentions.
I would be keen to hear what you think.
PT.