David1300,
The traditional way in Australia to gain experience was either the RAAF or to go out into GA and get 3-6000 hours on light aircraft before joining a domestic airline to fly as a turboprop F/O for a few years before a jet. Alternatively you joined Qantas after said hours and flew in the jump-seat for T/O and LDG for another 4-12 years before landing the Jet!
It can be done quicker but to put cadets straight into a A320?
[esp with some Captains
]