All of the ATSAs I work with on a regular basis at Swanwick all work extremely hard and work for quite a long time without breaks.
While it is true that in the long term ATSA numbers are likely to reduce at Swanwick through the introduction of iFACTS, and at some NATS airfields (through the introduction of EFPS) there seems to be plenty of work for competent and motivated staff - irrespective of their current grade - to do within NATS.
We have a huge investment programme to deliver over the next 10 - 15 years, all of which will require support and input from suitably trained people.
I wish the OP well
DotMac