I obtained my licence (class 1)in the late 80s and it involved a 2 week training course followed by the test and the cost back then was about 650 pounds.
I did a bit of work driving tippers but knocked it on the head due to long hours and low pay.
I know one or two people around who do it and they all say that the rates are kept down due to too many people doing it (sound familiar?). Its a bit like flying in that you have so start doing lower paid local work to gain experience to work your way up to driving an expensive rig on trans European routes.
Hope that helps