adam, i have been in the atc for over 4 years now and i have just completed my ppl (im a pilot!), the atc is good for someone your age and you can apply for a flying scholorship or something of that kind to give you a headstart. As for sponsorship, im pretty much in the same boat as you, theres little happening at the moment, i think youve got to keep your eye out.
Theres a fantastic looking school in jerez in spain owned by bae systems, you can apply to go there either if your being sponsored or going your self(thats if your prepared to pay the 62,000 towards the cost of the 18 month course). If you pay to go there then the school can recommend you to certain airlines e.g British airways or my travel.
Anyway good luck for the future and i hope to meet u in the cockpit of an A340 sometime!