Jet Mouse, as far as I know, GECAT give no help on the financial side, you will have to arrange the money required yourself.
Tony2F, you will find at the moment, alot of airlines are taking people with 0 hours on type that have type ratings. At BMI, guys with 250 hours are being recruited and being put straight onto the Airbus, with no type rating at all, things are definately looking up for freshly qualified pilots. With regard to GECAT, they have placed people with Air Malta, BMI (usually off the students own back, so far this year anyway), Aer Lingus, Monarch, Thomas Cook and First Choice. I am sure there are more, but those are the ones that spring to mind.
Hope that helps.