My understanding of how it goes now in airlines is that to get a license you have to meet a schedule of experience. That means your employer has to move you around the whole engineering system over the apprenticeship to meet the schedule. If your employer doesn't do this or wont do this then you can't meet the criteria.
As well, you have to pass the exams.For heavy/complex aircraft at least that now requires a formal process. No private study allowed by CASA. If your employer doesnt cooperate with suitable time off, not to mention financial contribution, then how is that done?
It seems to me that the whole process over the last few years in the airline side of things is to discourage or outright prevent AMEs obtaining LAME status.All they want and encourage is A qualifications from ex baggage drivers etc.
Wunwing