no, no one starts with anything higher than a Ki blast. I've just started some of the energy techniques in the database, they aren't very hard to obtain, so I'd expect people would have their own arsenal in as little as two weeks.
Oh, and for the support and help I'm getting from staff, those of you whom pass the staff exams get all of the standard techniques, a Novice technique of your choice(Or two basic techniques) and a free scouter.