Brazilian wants to come to UK on work visa

[ace77]

An friend of mine came to the UK on a tourist visa many years ago. He overstayed for years, lost his passport and illegally worked. He was arrested at his place of work and taken to prison for illegally working. He paid for his return flight to Brazil because he was told he could then return after 2 years compared to 10 years if he did not pay for the flight.
He wants to return to the UK as the 2 years has now passed. He wants to get a working visa which he believes he can get if a company gives him a letter offering work. He is in no way skilled and speaks poor english, he is over 40. Is he wasting his time and money trying to get a work visa ? What would you suggest ?
Thanks in advance

[CR001]

There is only one 'work visa', Tier 2 General and a 'letter offering work' is unfortunately not sufficient. He needs a Certificate of Sponsorship submitted to HO by the employer AFTER the full and proper Resident Labour Market Test has been done to prove that no settled, British or EU citizen can do the job and once HO approves the Certificate of Sponsorship, only then can he apply for a visa. This visa is for skilled and highly skilled workers. He also needs to meet the English requirement for the visa.

[vinny]

Moreover, he may have 320(11) problems indefinitely.