Air Traffic Controllers - a loss of skills?

[Gonzo]

Six months ago I bookmarked this thread in anticipation of resurrecting it after a period of time to restart the discussion. I admit I hadn't thought it would be this soon.

We in NATS have now seen the effects of the more streamlined courses (in my case, Tower only). What are the thoughts of others now? I was doing a bit of digging the other day on validation rates at EGLL for ab initios (both 'old style' - Tower then Approach Radar; and 'new style'). My findings shocked me. I doubt that it's even cost effective at the moment.