Postings have always been an emotive subject. I can see why NATS don’t issue them until the last minute. Historically some people have jumped ship at the end of training, I had one on my course. Bonding may have reduced this slightly however £36,000 is nothing for a rival ANSP to pay to poach a TATC.
I have been retired for several years, some things never change. Some things have. The structure of the cadetship I was on was vastly different from the courses of today.
Three weeks into our “Tech course” which was similar to the present Basic course ( only harder )
the class of twenty plus students were given a letter by hand not only giving you your posting but also what discipline you had been selected for.
There were some gasps of joy, some groans of dismay and the odd swear word.
I did not get the discipline or posting I wanted however it was not the end of the world.
I would have hated to receive such a letter in a public place. I personally think it would be better if NATS told the GATS students their posting in the classroom to let the news sink in.
NATS could still have a company night out and they may find the students more settled and they would ask reasonable questions and be more relaxed.
As has been mentioned before, the actual postings are something you have to accept, it is the luck of the draw.
NATS could possibly soften the blow slightly.
Rgds
AyrTC