The only people who know your capabilities are the people you spent a ton of money with doing your CPL, if they won't give you work or hours I suggest the best option is for you save up and do the 50 hours and then do the FI course or do an IR and try to go offshore.
Other than that your options are limited unless you get a top tip of work somewhere , I agree with your man "epiphany", i.e. did you not think this through before?