I think you'll find the pilot apprentice scheme is for those already with a CPL/IR, many of whom have spent £100k+ at Oxford, so not exactly a scheme for poor 18 year olds! It's not a bad scheme overall though - in exchange for 18 months in the office or crew room, and 18 months on the line on the paltry second officers salary, they get the type rating paid for and a permanent UK job.
I agree though that it's encouraging that they are recruiting NTR crews and are prepared to cover the type rating. They've clearly realised there's no other way to recruit the experienced crews they need given their expansion plans and difficulty retaining the crews they already have!