Gimpboy
Not sure on the self improver route now......best you start a thread about it yourself, after having searched the archives as it seems to p*ss a few people off if we have repeat posts.
I was under the impression that you could still do it, it is just that it's done in modules now of approved training, probably pretty close in cost to the route I took going on a BCPL Upgrade. You will come out with similar hours(read 'not many' into that) and will then have to give your all in the same way to get a start.
Best of luck,
Oh, and you contractors always earnt more than us permanent boys so I expect to see you qualified pretty soon!
PP