bairni,
everything possible is being done to keep the number of pilots on a "real" permanent contract as low as possible (new FO's spending 7-8mths in Scandilands on a temporary K Area contract after line-training, Capts on Leave of Absence shipped into Scan for few mths each Summer etc)
As I have posted here before, there have been around 100 permanent vacancies created this last 2 years, none since Apr 2013, and around 400-500 ? (or more) Contractors joining in this period. . . . so, do yourself a favour & stop dreaming of permanent "Core" contracts. . . ain't gonna happen. Previous Cadets were given contracts through agencies, just like those joining as experienced FO's.