This isn;t a new or innovative idea. VS did this when they launched HKG flights in the early/mid 90's. Admittedly, they didn't ask pilots to buy a T/R but the world has changed and self funded T/R is now a fact of life -move on and acept it; pilots have no right to demand airlines fund T/Rs in the same way that any other career can demand other voacational course costs.
VS used cruise pilots as a form of cadetship that gave many of them the opportunity to get on the career ladder - some of them are now four stripers so it has some value - even with a modest salary pakcage.
Go for it! If you do nothing you'll be left grounded and if they do go down the pan after you have the T/R then you have improved your chances but there are no guarantees.