In both my own company, and the even larger company that my wife works for, I know a significant number of colleagues who have children going through ab-initio training. Of the 6 that I can recollect, there isn't a single one not utilising one of the Big 3 FTO's. In some cases the courses are tied to placements (albeit with no guarantee of anything,) and in some they are simply integrated courses of training. In addition I know 5 in my company and 2 in my wifes who have children graduated from such training programmes and now in airline jobs.
Now to be fair, the demographic is families with high incomes and relative high net worth. Affordability is clearly less of an issue within this specific group. Nevertheless it is interesting that those with the experience and knowledge to form an educated opinion, are selecting this methodology. I doubt it is because they want to "waste 25K."
The truth is that the methodology is economically driven. I have said it before and am now repeating it, but if I were offering a fully paid scholarship via the route of an applicants choice, I would be amazed if tied integrated programme wasn't the first choice (by far) and full time integrated programme mopping up any stragglers. The truth is that it is only economic necessity that keeps the third choice viable, and just as well that the option exists. The reality is that the prime jobs at this level of (in)experience are subject to much the same criteria from airlines who benefit from the training but do not have to assume the financial risk. QED!
The classic self improver route was never a particularly easy path even in strong economic cycles. This was when a basic CPL needed 700 hours and an airline job usually demanded at least three times this level of experience. Now it is the modular (self improvers) who believe the "aerial work" 250 hour licence with the same name, buys them a short cut to the same route. It simply doesn't. Even the traditional stepping stone jobs of instructing, aerial work, bush flying, corporate, air taxi, third and second tier airline turboprop opportunities, are few and far between. Even then the 65% slash in licence experience requirements means that so many more people are able to compete for those few opportunities.
If you think the integrated training market creates a large oversupply (and it does,) it is but a fraction of the oversuppy created by a far larger modular training industry. In the case of the latter, there are even fewer opportunities and teaming hoardes of people fighting for them.
I always say to people "think what it is you want?" because the route will lie in that answer. Possibly saving thousands of pounds may well be sensible if all you want is a CPL/IR. However for many that is not the end goal, and for those people they need to seriously research the market and seriously consider their options.