Andy,
I agree with Weselfluren, the lady in question will be telling the truth only for people who have just completed the interview stage.
Nats HR seem to be interviewing a lot of people at the moment, partially clearing the huge backlog they built up, and partially seeing new people so those places will be filling up fast. If I had just sent in my form, I'd plan on going to the college in 2006 at the earliest.
I sent my form in September 2002 and I am probably on an April 2005 course!
cheers!
foggy.