I am sorry to disappoint you hargeaves99, but what you state is NOT a new thing. When I got into aviation decades ago, it was the same...you needed experience to get that first job but very few opportunities existed to someone without experience!! It' crap, but that's unfortunately how it is (the same applies to most careers)?! Hopefully things will change, (a short time ago Babcock held the first ab-initio interviews in Aberdeen).
I wish the best for all those aspiring pilots...but honestly if I had my time again, I would not go rotary.
Just my 2 cents..
B.