Many ways to skin a cat
Ok, it sounds like you are a bit worried about the future of flying.
Degrees aren't the be all and end all.
Some suggestions for others too.
You can become an aircraft mechanic either by an apprenticeship or via the services. I'd get the A levels etc.
You'd get paid to train and your skills are a valuable commodity. Most of the time, engineers earn a lot more than pilots. (Only in the Jet world does it go the other way).
I don't know many unemployed engineers (I don't mean aeronautical ones) and if they are, it isn't for long.
While you are working in the industry you'd certainly get to know about it and how to go about getting flying qualifications. Another advantage is that the ATPL techs aren't nearly as difficult because you are familiar with the systems and so forth.
If I could have done this, I would have.