Bizzy,
Are you a qualifed military ATCO? If so, you could always try the 'assesment of prior competance' route. I have been advised that to do this you need to undertake some home study into MATS Part 1 and air law, take the exams and then do a reduced ADC course which is paid for yourself (around £8000?). Ideally, you need to get together with a qualified civil ATCO to give you a head start in civy ADC procedures. If you complete this phase, the rest of the course is paid for by NATS, albeit without a salary. I believe that most, if not all people that go down this route end up going terminal so I think that the rest of the training takes around 6 months. On completion - you are an ATCO3 (earning similar pay to a Flt Lt).
Civy ATCOs - sorry if any of the above is incorrect - please correct me if I am wrong.
Bright-Ling - you gave me some good advice on this subject recently, can you add anything to help?
[This message has been edited by Crabo (edited 06 April 2001).]