“Oh no, we have no ATCOs again” seems to be an oft-repeated theme for every ANSP. Unfortunately managers get bonuses/promotions for costs saved rather than long-term planning for the health and safety of a company.
With three years from recruitment to validation we should be recruiting now, but instead we will repeat the errors which lead to our forthcoming retirement bulge. Running short-staffed also leads to further staff attrition - its no fun being overworked or overloaded with no possibility to split frequencies and you find that those that can leave/retire do.