What professions don't require investment?
While the investment to train as an airline pilot is very high, there are few professions that do not require substantial investment up front now. Do a degree at any British university and you are likely to graduate with debts around £30,000. More if it is medicine. More still soon when the cap on course fees is lifted. If you want to train as a barrister, factor in a couple of years unpaid traineeship after that.
In all professions, having the wherewithal to fund training is becoming more of a factor than having a higher level of ability than the next candidate. What you think should be done depends on your politics. My son thought about aviation as a career and I am very glad he was put off it an early stage. For myself, I am glad I never took aviation further than hang gliding.