Seems a bit detached from the real world.
If I am doing a 6 month contract which is what he is proposing then yeah I want a great day rate and to earn 12 months salary in those 6.
It basically means I invest in a company that doesn't believe in me and probably wont try to help me succeed.
Also mortgages, car loans, life and health insurance etc. are harder to get on a short contract.
Hiring is broken (maybe) but 6 month paid interviews are not the solution.