If Pilot's were so sought after then why do companies not sponsor individuals through a proper apprenticeship? Does anyone never think if this?
Look at the apprenticeships offered by Airbus: Salary from day 1, all training and qualifications paid for by them (that's relative training, not training in another field), and finally a job.
Similarly NATS ATCO: salary from day 1, all training paid for, a job at the end on 50k+.
Then look at pilots: no salary, no training paid for, no job.
Credit to Jet2 for at least coming up with something that pays a salary, even if you've had to spend a bloody fortune in the first place to get it.