NRDK - it's not that different a time-scale - remember I am talking about starting from a SARTU refresher - 1-2 months and then the SK OCU which normally takes 9 months. It is too long but the system is where it is and poor serviceability doesn't help. Once they hit the front-line, most ex-SH guys and gals will get to captaincy in a year to 15 months.
ISTR WW was 18 months or just under which is about right for an ab-initio (especially a good one).
The problem is that the SH guys on N Sea duties will be getting glass cockpit time but little useful SAR trg - once the Inverness training setup is running it will give all the requisite SAR and NVG training on type but until the contract starts, there will only be 2 bases where they can fly operationally to gain real experience. Who will move out of Stornoway and Sumburgh to make room for new copilots to cut their teeth and where will they go?
Once the contract is up and running, then it is a different ball-game and guys and gals can go straight from the S92/AW189 type conversion to a flight and crack on with on the job training - where, after an appropriate period, they can be selected for captaincy based on a proven track record on SAROPs and regular training.