Don't be so quick to knock the idea of Ab-Inition training. As everyone has said above, the problem is in a real inbalance of the pilot workforce, too many 35ish guys leaving to go fixed wing, while those of us quite long in the tooth being laid-off or coming up for retirement now.
Scotia have a few new co-pilots but I know Bristow haven't taken on any baby pilots for 3 or so years. With a future pilot shortage well documented, and no prospect of an influx of pilots through traditional channels (ie military) the Scotia / Bristow management must have been thinking along the training lines. It takes at least 15 months to get them on-line earning money for the company so I wouldn't consider new training sponsorships an unlikely prospect.
p.s. I also heard from a friend of a friends, cleaning lady's, uncle's best mate, that they knew someone selected for a Scotia course - And you can't get more concrete than that ! I'll try to find out more.