I'm one of the luck ones who has got a job, I really don't have any reason to sound negative, but to get into the cockpit of a commercial aircraft, from zero is going to cost ~£75,000 and at least 2 years with no income.
So the real question is how badly/seriously does he want to do this???
I don't know your friend, but the first question I would ask is has he had any flying experience at 46 if not why not ???
If he is truely serious then maybe start cautiously by checking out a local flying school and consider doing a PPL and then take it from there