To answer a couple of your questions more directly:
Should I jump at it? I really want to do it but obviously once I'm invested that's it, I won't be able to change my mind without taking a big hit financially.
Of course you should if that is what is in your heart, but choose your school carefully. A personal relationship with your instructor is very important and you could find what you need in a small school, of which there are many.
Is there really a pilot shortage and does it seem too good to be true?
Not really, and yes.
It is true that around 20-odd pilots are being recruited on the N Sea right now, but the real shortage is in type ratings
The average age of the industry is quite high and a lot of retirements are anticipated, so you have to think years ahead in the aviation industry.
My advice to students is - if that's what you want to do, don't worry about the availability of jobs - that's future pain. You will have enough current pain getting your licence because you won't get a job without one. So focus. get a PPL first, see if you like it (or it likes you!), then, if you have that kind of money, think about buying an old helicopter, building up hours then selling it - there's one on ebay right now for £39K ish. You can study for your CPL while you are doing that.
Therein lies the rub - it's OK having a licence, but you need hours and/or some sort of specialist qualification on top, such as mountain flying if you go to Canada.
Getting the PPL first means that, if you happen to luck across someone who actually owns a helicopter, you might get the chance to fly it. If you wait till you get a CPL, you won't. Much more flexibility that way.
Oh yes - what Sir Korsky and TC said.