Look, this is a good idea to get people that would never consider a career in aviation into the fold.
Will it work? Who know. But it is a start. I believe they will still have issues meeting the 5K goal by 2030 and one of the biggest issues is initial cost.
Aviate requires a private pilots license. Once you have that and are accepted they say they will cover your costs to obtain a PPL. But will that be a direct payment of what you spent to get your PPL? Aviate even estimates the cost of your PPL at over $17,000. How many people can front that, much less also cover living costs and not having a job during that time? Here are quotes from the Aviate web site:
Once you get your Private Pilot License, you’re ready to interview for Aviate, United's industry-leading pilot career development program.
If you don't have a Private Pilot License (PPL) and are accepted into United Aviate Academy, we'll cover the cost (~$17,750 value).
Further this is program takes longer than getting a college degree.
2 months to get a PPL
10 months of flight academy training
1.5 months to transition to the next step
18 months minimum of instructing or flying for a part 135 operator
2 months to transition to the next step
24 months minimum of flying for a United Express operator
That is 57.5 months at a minimum. Most will take longer than that. And at any point along the way people can and will be bounced out when they can't pass the FAA medical exams for whatever reason, fail a drug test including weed, fail check rides, etc.
Again, this is a great start, but hopefully they don't throw out the baby with the bath water in a few years.