Back in the day people learned on types that weren't much of a jump to a 210. But going from a plastic aeroplane with a glass cockpit to a 210 is a big difference. Would be good if the pilot could get some of that time up before the CPL, because the CPL should mean that you ARE job ready.
What does ICUS cost an operator if it’s not a full load? Absolutely nothing.
Absolutely nothing if the pilot has agreed to work for free ... surely those days are gone?