Simply considering Integrated vs. Modular is not sufficient, you need a wider understanding of the issues.
GAPAN and EPST conducted a survey of 7 major Airlines asking them to rank 10 important qualities / aptitudes in order of importance when considering new recruits.
Ranking Aptitude Score
1 Team working skills 14
2 A/C handling 17
3 Leadership 22
4 Personality 25
5 Customer awareness 36
6 Technical knowledge 41
7 Education 48
8 Presentation and appearance 49
9 Previous employment 64
10 Family background 69
From the above, it is clear that there is no direct correlation between the results and either Integrated or Modular training.
However, it can be conjectured that whilst the Integrated student might be a better team player, the Modular student might have greater leadership ability.
Whilst the Integrated student often comes from a more affluent background, and maybe has a higher academic level, the Modular student has a more rounded personality, and greater commercial and customer awareness.
Additionally, the Modular student frequently has more actual flight hours, over a wider range of aircraft, and therefore has better hands-on skills (especially on the sim check ride) than the Integrated.
The current approach of the main Integrated training providers is a little more subtle. By accepting only candidates who have passed a rigorous aptitude assessment, they are guaranteeing that their output is already to a high standard, and very acceptable to the Airlines. On the general assumption that perhaps only the top 10 - 15% of potential trainees are “creamed off” in this way, the remaining 85 - 90% will need to find their training elsewhere. Here the message from the survey is simple. Get the highest quality training, with the most number of flight hours that you can.
Unfortunately for some, this conflicts with the notion that just getting the stamp in your licence, and at the lowest cost is an appropriate way forward - it isn’t.
With acknowledgments to GAPAN and EPST, the full results of the survey, plus some very useful additional information can be found on
www.gapan.org