if you are serious about this, option one is the only way you will be able to proceed without doing an appenticeship or doing the interested cleaner bit (that you are overqualified for).
However, there is the military aviation way that will allow you to be trained up after 3 to 4 years service up to a level where a company could think about taking you on. In that time you could do the civvy modules and get them under you belt (and the RAF would help you pay for them to a degree). You would get half decent pay as well and job security.
Downsides? The crap and the sand that you get and the time away from family that happens now. You would still have to do the practical tasks when you leave and a minimum time in a PART 145..
However, get onto the A330 unit at Brize when it sets up and you will be laughing! Military pay and every job you do would count towards the basic and type. As it is Part 145 maintained, everything you do as a mechanic would count..Trouble is everybody wants that!
