I'm not against the VET system (heck I even suggested it once). However, just like any good thing, it can be used for bad things as well (i.e. Soar) and obviously the 20% fees involved and the overall cost of things.
At the end of the day, it's funding for someone to pursue something - that's not the problem.
The problem, nowadays, is the individual. People have forgotten how important "aptitude" and "discipline" really are.
I self-funded a few hours years ago whilst working (flying once a week) and very soon realized I am bad at this. Doesn't mean I can't do it but more focus and more time was required (which is hard if you're working full time, not impossible though). The point being - aptitude became very apparent to me then.
Those attributes fall by the way side once "The life of a Pilot" videos on Youtube are watched. No one watches a video entitled "The life of a GP" and go hell yeah sign me up - you can't compare these professions.
The marketing component is an issue because people fall for it hook, line and sinker. They don't see the endless hours of study even after graduation. They don't see the door-to-door knocking up north or even in the big city. They don't see the repeats if you struggle. They don't see the "it is actually going to take you 250 hours instead of 150"
Or maybe they do realize all those things, push ahead and graduate but then reality hits them. The notion of "you've just started" when they've just graduated - this is where discipline fails them (keep going, keep calling, do whatever you can etc). This is the career,
Schools take advantage of students. And it is sad and disappointing to read about.
Years ago (don't know if it still exist) there used to be secondary schools that had Aviation-related subjects you could do as a kid to help solidify the basics prior to training commencing.
It is as though the industry needs something like that combined with an Aptitude course (like what the Airforce does) over several months which includes a real industry look at the pros and cons (i.e. entry level jobs), designed for civilians to determine whether they are really fit to fly.
Not some test - the problem with the test is people can be bad at it but still end up being great Pilots, this is why you need a diverse skills assessment across all attributes comparing the attributes required with the attributes the individual already has both physically and mentally.
At least then after doing that you'd really know whether you're better off watching "The life of a GP" video or not.