@lemony thanks. I knew that would be one of the main disadvantages of going private - not working at MAN realistically. I have visited Liverpool Control Tower before for the day, spent most of it talking to those in the control tower and downstairs. They said most of them had trained privately through the airport. I shall definitely try and get in contact with them again.
It's just quite a wait now knowing that it is unlikely they are going to start recruiting again until next year at the earliest but we shall see.