At Heathrow, providing you are number 1 trainee on the watch it's been as low as 6 months and has been as high as 12 months. I would say the average is 9-11 months.
Steve atc, a few untruths and misconceptions!
Ive also heard the chop rates for Heathrow arent far short of that for Swanwick
Considering we haven't taken any trainees for 12 months so we can concentrate on training and moving to the new tower, it's a bit unfair to talk about chop rates, but if you want to bring them up, our chop rates for trainees recruited direct from the college are very low. Roughly, on average for the past 6 years ab initios from the college, about 80% have successfully validated, not too sure how this compares with Swanwick, but I'd say it's pretty good.
Also, dont expect EGLL or KK to be taking people
Apart from the 6 we're taking in the next 3 weeks (would've been 8 but 2 failed at the college) and the fact we want another 6-8 in November, then this statement isn't all that accurate!
Also, if you're interested in having the flexibility to move around the country (and the world), then getting the additional Approach ticket after Aerodrome is definately worth it
Heathrow controllers with only one rating have gone on to work at other UK non NATS and NATS airports, but more importantly, Toronto, Melbourne and Dubai!
Hope the above helps with any students decision making!