Late reply i know but thank you all for your input, GA and small companies looks like the way forward at this stage.
In general the workforce is supposed to be full of very experienced individuals but coming to the end of their working lives, I'm wondering how companies are going to respond in finding fresh faces to replace them but not wanting anyone with little to no experience, seems like a catch 22, similar to the pilot 'shortage' but offering cadet places for the extortionate fee of around £100,000.
Aviation is a confusing world to say the least.