DC10,
At the end of the 'course' our ATSAs will be given a 'limited' Met Observer's Certificate, valid only when using SAMOS.
I don't think anybody doubts the abilities of our ATSAs, but the main issue for us, the ATCOs, is that they simply do not have enough time to be able to do both their existing duties in the tower, and provide support for SAMOS. We've all been told that SAMOS should take priority, as it's a CAP168 requirement. That means on those crappy days with bad weather that changes every ten minutes or so, and you call delivery you can bet I won't have your flight plan!