Like most controllers here, I am bemused (and confused!) by the recent pronouncements that we are only 22 controllers down - huh? In West Radar alone, we are currently training (or about to start) 5 people - as they are not good to go yet, surely we are at least 5 controllers down then? It would have to be at least 3, ie one group in one centre has 14% of the nationwide shortage...... doesn't make sense to me!
Anecdotally, I would have to guess that we are closer to 50-60 short across the country and that wouldn't even start to fix the shortage at the college and in projects, etc.
If the shortage is really only 22 operationally, why are they recruiting so many people from overseas (heard over 30 coming) and ramping direct entry recruiting up so significantly? Are they that scared of resignations for the sandpit or greener pastures?