It is delicious irony that airlines are now finding themselves acknowledging a shortage in a skill set that every waking hour of their HR/IR structures is dedicated to denigrating.
Combined with the depression on terms and conditions, work/life balance within the industry and they might find that the number of people actually willing to go through with this training and career option might be significantly less than the number of 'tyre kickers.'
Not many kids walk around looking starry eyed toward an aircraft flying over anymore or are willing to sacrifice anything to achieve the dream.