Coxie
Unlucky. Well done for going for it, there will doubtless be subsequent years where you can try again, should you so wish.
The offer to join their "regular" program of training is not unusual. I'm willing to bet nearly everyone who takes the OAA/FTE/CTC tests and fails to get into the mentored scheme (whichever one it may be) is "invited" back in this manner.
Treat the offer with extreme caution as what they are really saying is, "we'll take your money - why wouldn't we - but you don't have a job waiting at the end of it".