The 3% statistic is off the NATS website, its the number who get through all 3 stages of selection (not the number of validating ATCO's). See
Application process - Jobs and careers at NATS and look under the medical/security clearance tab.
I find it hard to believe that 45,000 or even 10,000 people apply each year. That seems like an extremely high number to me. I read somewhere else that it was more like 5000, which fits the 3% selection pass statistic perfectly if roughly 150 people are starting at the college each year.
Lies, damn lies, and statistics??
Probably true
