WHAT!!
Aircraft Engineers are some of the most demoralised workers you will meet at the moment. You should know the truth! As a licenced engineer you would have responsibility for deeming an aircraft carrying up to 400 people serviceable for flight. You would expect to be rewarded handsomely for this responsibility, truth is with shift pay and overtime working for a major airline in S.E. England you could expect about 26 to 32k per annum. You would be expected to do shift work in most positions. Most aircraft maintenance is carried out at night. You would be expected to work Christmas Day, New Years Eve etc. etc.
There is currently a worldwide shortage of Engineers (especially Avionic ones). So you should find employment within the industry, the downside of this shortage is that there are too few engineers doing the work and you may find yourself under severe pressure to perform.
One problem with doing an Ab Initio course is that although you come out of the course with your C.A.A licences, they are worthless without an Aircraft Type course and even then you still have to satisfy a companies Quality Department that you are experienced enough and capable of certifying their aircraft.
I don't wan't to put you off. This is still an exciting and challenging industry, it's just a pity that our employers won't reward us sufficiently for what we do.
Regards and Good Luck,
Somefokker