If you simply did a training course at one of the exterior colleges you would find it very, very difficult to validate at a busy unit so go for NATS to start with..
I would have to disagree I am afraid. There is no reason why a non-NATS trained trainee could not validate at a busy London unit. The standard of training is approved to the same standards by the CAA at all colleges, and it would come down to the OJT and trainees aptitude (I am not suggesting that HD would suggest non NATS ATCO's have inferior training or ability
).
I have seen both sims and they are not wildly different in traffic levels.
But as has been said previously it would be difficult for a non-NATS Atco to get in through an external application at present, and certainly not without a valid ticket. So go for NATS from the outset.
There are some great Non NATS units out there all very challenging in there own way. Some class D, many class G with its own set of challenges.
Examples Class D - Newcastle, Liverpool, Doncaster, Leeds Bradford, Bournemouth etc. etc.
Class G - Norwich, Blackpool, Newquay, Filton, Southend, Manston, Lydd, Carlisle, Shoreham, Gloucester, Plymouth etc etc etc.
If you can get into NATS on the cadetship, go for it but an equally good career can be had outside but possibly at your own expense.
