Without working for free for 2 cricket bat manufacturers, I wouldn't have my job either... I also had the luxury of spending 5 years learning, travelling and eventually getting paid to follow the sport I love.
As I've said I think if this truly is someone's dream, then they will do all they can to make it happen. Whether that's taking a lowly paid job, as I did, or hassling a bat manufacturer until they let you come on board alongside your current job. It's a hard industry to get into, but there are opportunities - and for me this B3 one is a great one. Whoever gets it will have the good fortune of working alongside 2 of the most knowledgeable enthusiastic people in the industry.