Sorry folks, me again.
777 NATS has a continuing need for both airports and area controllers, with the college producing both at a ratio of about 1:4.
The first 3 months of the new course is common to both, then you will be streamed, with Airports candidates doing the Aerodrome rating, and the Area trainees starting radar training. The big difference is that you will know then where your final unit posting will be, and so can prepare your life accordingly, whereas at present you spend your whole college career not knowing whether you are bound for Heathrow or Aberdeen. You will now spend all periods of 'on the job' training at your final unit, so by the time you arrive there, you know where the canteen and toilets are.
The decision about who goes where though will be dependant primarily on company needs. So you basically will have a 1 in 4 chance of airports, if that is where you want to go, but you then stand as much chance of living in London as Scotland. Area mostly end up in Swanwick, but some go to Prestwick [about a fifth].
Best idea is just be prepared for a career in ATC, and leave the details until later. Nearly every ATCO in the world will swear that THEIR discipline is the one to go for, so whichever way you end up going, sit back and enjoy it.
