Checklist,
The reason being, I would imagine, is that nobody can accurately predict when the current downturn will eventually end, and how quickly things will recover.
I recall post 9/11 the last BA fully sponsored graduates being told that they could expect a 2 year wait before BA would be in a position to offer them a TR course. As it turned out, they waited only 6 months.
Aviation is a funny old game, and Flybe one of the smarter operators.