uk you say
the managing director of a leading central-england flying school disagrees whole-heartedly!:
The MD of any flying school is going to say that sort of thing isn't he? He has a business to run and needs to attract paying punters through the door. He wants people to part with in excess of GBP60,000.
As for
WITHOUT QUESTION, THIS IS EXACTLY THE RIGHT TIME TO COMMENCE TRAINING IN READINESS FOR THIS EXPECTED DEMAND FOR TRAINED PILOTS."
certain flying schools were saying that by the 14th of September 2001, and will probably be saying the same thing this time next year.
As for there being a pilot shortage just around the corner, do search on this forum using that sentence. See what you can dig up. The last time there was a pilot shortage in the UK was around the summer of 1940. Take all the marketing speak with a huge pinch of salt.
Of the 20 or so people I know who have gained CPL/IR (MCC etc) qualifications in the last 24 months only 4 have got jobs. 2 bought type ratings, one was lucky enough to get a sponsorship position and one was just a spawny git
.