Originally Posted by
chevvron
Approved ATCO training courses were not required in those days; you could simply train 'on the job' then go and take the exams.
I know Southampton operated this system.
,,,,and it worked great producing motivated ATCOs, ex ATCAs (in those days), who had peripheral aviation knowledge and could tell the difference between a Dove and a Heron, or an Apache or Aztec. Something (IMHO) better than some who graduated from "College of Knowledge" (who readily admitted that they trained students to pass exams) and never did validate at a Unit.