Jim, you are right that the contract has still to begin and, in theory, should provide no lesser service.
However, the provision of SAR training, both initial and front-line, is what I have done for many years so I do have concerns that the new training pipeline isn't fully established yet and that the 'on the job' training (based on the number of contracted flying hours) will be woefully inadequate.
It is not enough to have a clever and shiny new aircraft (I know the S92 is a very capable machine) if the crew are only ever going to rely on those automatics to get the job done.
To be a truly equivalent service, lots and lots of time 'hands-on' will be required.
Fortunately, the number of already well-trained ex-mil crews will have a very sound base to work from but for those without such experience they face a life of being 'children of the magenta' slavishly doing only what the automatics will let them.