I think it's got to do with the new legislation on ATCO licensing (but happy to be corrected)
If you don't start training within 6 months of completing the course, you lose the rating and have to go back to the college to do an Assessment of Previous Competency.
If a student who previously failed a course was looking to get back in to the college more than 6 months after leaving, they'd have to do the course again anyway. So if someone had to go back to the college, why rehire when NATS can get fresh faces and give them a chance?
In the old structure, people who failed were dealt with under the rules at the time. There are now new rules in place but no means of 'backdating' the scheme.
There are more complex and financial reasons behind it, and I've got mates who are in the same boat, but thats what's been decided.....
