UK - Apprenticeships scheme to train pilots

[FlyerJoe]

UK apprenticeships to train pilots

I think if the Government really cared then they would give pilots the same 'student finance', or at least be treated as students and be entitled to the same tax breaks and benefits. For most pilot training is terribly expensive and it can be a big factor on whether or not to go to university which would involve another £40,000 or so at £9,000 a year.

[mad_jock]

To be honest they would be better giveing it to GAPAN to dish out.

Then they could dish it out piece meal depending on personal requirements etc. And attitude etc on the previous course.

But then the integrated schools wouldn't get a shout at any of the cash so would lobby against it.

[jez d]

Why don't they cut VAT on training costs to open it up to more people, rather than give a few lucky apprentices a freebie!!

I can't see this happening, in fact only £217,800 is all that will be available for commercial pilot training, split between Jet2, BA, Monarch, CAA and Flybe.

There appears to be some confusion here. The headline £25m was funding for research into, and creation of, new higher apprenticeship schemes, the majority of which was earmarked last December. A remaining £6m from the fund is being handed over to the development of apprenticeship courses for pilots, lawyers etc, recently announced.

On the pilot front, City & Guilds, in partnership with Jet2 and an, as yet unconfirmed FTO have until the end of next March to develop an National Qualifications Framework approved apprenticeship for commercial pilots which could then be rolled out nationally, open for all UK airlines and all training methods, i.e. both integrated and modular.

If approved then students should (not 'will') be eligible for student loans and VAT may (not 'will') be removed from flight training course fees. Additionally, as the apprenticeship will involve a direct tie-in with an airline, said airline should (not 'will') pay students a minimum national wage during their training and employ them in various departments during the length of the course to broaden their airline operations knowledge in order to develop transferable skills which a NQF-approved apprenticeship requires.

The above courtesy of an informative article in the July edition of Flight Training News.

[BerksFlyer]

It would be a terrible idea for the government to hand out student loans for pilot training. Most loans would never get repaid.

So if this comes into fruition, what would become of the private training industry? Surely the FTOs will be throwing their toys out of the pram because there won't be nearly enough airline-backed courses to justify all of their existences?

[jez d]

Surely the FTOs will be throwing their toys out of the pram because there won't be nearly enough airline-backed courses to justify all of their existences?

Yes, but this is for UK airlines only and thefore the self-sponsored route will presumably remain for those seeking entry to airlines outside of the UK. And given the time and financial input required from airlines running apprenticeships, the UK airline industry may chose to ignore it or only use it sparingly.

[V1 VR V2]

Have there been any further updates or news on this terrible scheme which will lead down the route of existing frozen ATPL pilots being obsolete!