I thik you will find that the airlines are "hedging their bets" by setting up training organisations. These things take time, and they are now in a position to quickly train pilots IF and When they may need them.
They also have contacts with potential pilots (but no contracts).
This is a big step forward, and what they should have always done. I think provisional contracts with potential trainees is the logical next step, but this won't happen while there is a surplus of applicants.
The previous "obscene lottery" system has almost destroyed GA by flooding it with transient low time pilots and "ICUS" sellers.
What happens in GA usually flows on to airlines, and they are now faced with lots of pilots who want to be "transient" and use the operation as a stepping stone to bigger things. (just like GA)
So airlines are obviously looking for ways to keep pilots and reduce training costs by bonding pilots and using low time F/O's.
If anyone knows when the next burst of airline expansion will occur he wil be able to get lots of big fees from the airlines. They don't know either.