Companies/Governments recruiting ATCOs for overseas jobs in the next few years won't be looking for newly validated ATCOs with zip-all experience. They will be looking for experienced ATCOs, probably in the 35 - 50 age bracket, preferably multi-rated, like Australia did many years ago when Ronnie Reagan donated his controllers for free and the Middle East did 25+ years ago when they were all building their own international airports and Hong Kong did 15 odd years ago when they had failed to recruit enough, and they don't come cheap and they are very expensive to replace.
Non-NATS airports have always looked to "buy" newly trained ATCOs straight from the College of Knowledge. What they save on initial training costs and time can be used to supplement the salaries being offered to encourage graduates to jump ship.
There used to be a story that the old IAL paid an HR man to stand at the college gates on graduation day with a cheque book and a contract to work for them. Urban myth? Next time it's graduation day see if there is anyone waiting at the gates!
IATA is predicting a strong recovery for airlines this year:
BBC News - Airline industry recovering, says Iata trade body
I think we are seeing or about to see a "sellers market" for ATCOs re-appear. Certainly the Middle East contracts currently on offer are pointing that way. How many ATC units can honestly say that they are fully manned and ready for an increase in traffic in the order of 5%?
On the beach