I just found out Canada had a testing program to be able to fly RC planes a year or two ago. This is the first time I have seen what a new pilot is tested on doing. In the U.S. we don't just fly at clubs so even if we had testing it wouldn't work every place, I fly on a dry lake bed and it has no control other then what we, the regular pilots can enforce. We do a pretty good job of it though. Every club field I have ever been on requires an AMA membership but no flight testing. I like your way better though.
I am just getting into electrics myself, not the little foam planes but I have been converting old 1/2 A kits to electric and just bought my first ARF, the Aeroworks Extra 260 electric powered, I love it!!
I am an instructor, I teach using my own trainer and equipment, I require nothing from the student except they buy there own fuel. My trainer and all my other planes are either glow or gas. After my students have soloed I let them borrow my trainer to fly until they buy there own plane and equipment. I have only lost one trainer. The trainers I use are given to me by friends or just people that feel they no longer want one? Go figure, I love flying a trainer.
Like most people my students want to move onto something cooler and better then the trainer right away, I was the same way myself. I also teach building so if the student wants to build there own plane I try to point them toward the Four Star Kit. If they want to just buy an ARF I point out the Pulse sold by Horizon.
I talk to them about the power system they want to use. Electric has come a long way sense we have the new battery types so electric can be used in anything from little foam planes to huge giant scale planes, it's just the power source.
You don't need to just think about the small foam type of planes, any plane can be powered with electric. I'm now building two float plane and they will both be electric powered a number of reasons.
At this time in your flying I would move away from the high wing planes and get something with a bit more sport in it. The choice of plane is up to you but keep in mind any of them can be electric.
I love flying my little Extra but I enjoy planes just a bit bigger so I can see them better.