I flew for Flybe via a cadet scheme. They did sponsor me for effectively £18,900 which I paid through salary sacrifice. Bonded for the Q400 rating over 3 years. Happily paid BBVA (twice a month more than contracted), paid into pension scheme, able to save and enjoy my earnings.
Worked hard, peaking at 885hrs last year. Salary not the best in the industry but coupled with private healthcare, staff travel for various airlines around the world, uniform paid for, crew food, union recognition, no pay to fly nonsense and not physically transferring money over for a rating it's pretty good! Time to command is approx 3 years if you're happy to move to any base.
The Q400 has such varied flying. Now fly an Airbus for a national flag carrier. Turboprop hours not restrictive in the market currently.