I haven't read this whole thread, so this may have been suggested before ...
Could ASA not implement an "ATC Screening" procedure in the early stages. I know they have their psychometric testing ... but why not something like RAAF "Flight Screening" ?
It could be along the lines of the, I think it's called, "ATC Awareness Program" they run for staff ... a 4 day crash course in ATC in the SIM.
Surely that would weed out those who:
- Don't have the aptitude
- Don't have the interest
A chance for the candidates to see what it's really like and a chance for ASA to see what the candidates learning ability is like.
Yes, extra time and cost ... but perhaps a trial might show that the successfully selected candidates have a much higher final pass rate
I'm sure the RAAF has found that to be true ... otherwise they wouldn't be wasting their money on it.