Switching from Tier 5 (gov exchange) to Tier 2 general

Hello,

I am genuinely in need for some correct information. I had to switch to Tier 5 visa from Tier 4 last July as my pay as a trainee was under £20k. Now I wish to switch from Tier 5 to Tier 2 general in the country and I don't seem to find options. I have been in the country for 7 years and If I had to leave the country all my efforts and financial investments in education and training will go in vain if I had to go back as now is opportunity for me to work and make some money back and seems like Tier 5 has turned out to be a dead end for me and I din't realise it at all.
One of my friend with the same qualifications as me was lucky to find a job offering him the same job as me for a higher pay than me (more than £20k) and he got smoothly got through the Tier 2. But I felt its unfair that I did not have the opportunity to get a job in my trainee year above £20k so I have to leave the country and apply fresh and my friend is working and making money.

Can anyone please help me if there is a way to switch from Tier 2 or Tier 1 from Tier 5 (gov exchange) from inside the country ? I would really appreciate thank you.

You can't switch and must apply from outside the UK

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas ... /applying/