Some 'clarification'.
New legislation from our European Bretheren means that shortly a rating may only be held for 5 years without validation, whereupon you have to re-train. Thus not much point in NATS giving Tower to Area controllers, or APR to Tower-only unit controllers, until they actually shift to another unit or discipline. Thus the concept of single rating training at the college has been born, and will commence within the next year [not 150 course, as was mentioned].
Airports controllers will leave the college for their unit with the rating that the unit needs, APR, or Tower, and return to Bournemouth at a time chosen by the unit, to get any further ratings, once the initial one is valid.
Area troops will not do any Tower control, but will concentrate on the radar techniques that Swanwick, MACC and ScOACC require, which although 3 months shorter in length, is delivered on a course with more radar training than they currently recieve. The reasoning is that more Area controllers will validate, and thus a higher overall pass rate will be achieved. MORE PEOPLE WILL PASS OVERALL.
As was stated previously, CATC has no 'chop rate' as the course with 28/29 testified. LTP's course was a bloody good bunch, and we could do with more like them. Some of the other courses have not put in the effort, and have paid the price. One course barely managed 50% graduating.
Like the man [girl?] says, if you work hard at it, you have a good chance of succeeding. Some failed who have gone on to validate their Tower rating, and then gain the other ratings outside NATS. Sometimes this is down to a more mature approach [no pun intended] as they get a bit older and wiser. Sometimes it was just a crappy day that killed off their NATS career. Very few, however, would have validated if they had been passed from CATC instead of failing. Once you get behind the drag curve, it is nearly impossible to catch up by remaining in training. You need the break to re-muster your thoughts, and then get back on the horse.
Will NATS start to trawl through the 'Tower Only' gang out there at the moment, and offer them the olive branch to return? Who knows? It is not outwith the realms of possibility, but I wouldn't bet the farm on it.
I'm sure I used to have a signature......