Universe, Mav & Wiggy,
Thanks for the replies, I do understand where you're coming from and completely respect what you're trying to say.
If the FPP or equivalent isn't scheduled to open in late 2017 / early 2018 then I am going to strongly consider self-sponsored options & other airline schemes.
As I said in the original post, i'm contracted to end the training scheme i'm on currently in late 2017 anyway so there's no moving anywhere for me until then. With this in mind, I do fully intend to wait & listen to see if BA come up with something. If they don't, or the scheme they create doesn't suit me, I'll look elsewhere.