Gonzo,
I can only speak for HK abroad.The ATC centre had everything combined,Tower,Approach and Area.When the new airport opened we were streamed,much the same as Nats does.However the people being streamed all had over 10 +++ years experience in multi disciplines.
Although I,as a tower person was not qualified on radar,I had a damn good idea of their problems,and we had a beer in the plaza afterwards.(HK TRM course
)
I think the problem you are talking about,could be coming from people who haven't validated a radar/tower rating,or don't even have one.How to solve it? Perhaps some runs in each others simulators,and a general love in.
Overall experience is very valuable,but something the NATS doesn't seem to want to recognise anymore.It's all about missions,targets,destinations and perhaps giving students a very narrow,limited training isn't the best way.
