There have been a reduced number of Trainee Controllers (Not allowed to be called Students any more!) per course for most of the year.
Wouldn't like to give you the exact reason......but many are holding around the UK with NO licence at teh moment so are reduced to ATSA duties and listening in.
I also heard the rumour about being "streamed" for Area/Approach/Tower and only gaining ratings in one discipline.
Will that make going to units such as LL/SS/KK/GW/CC less desireable?