I did my PPL in 1983 as part of my ATCO syllabus and spin training was definitely part of the training. However my instructor was one Paul Bonhomme and I think he positively relished this aspect of the training. Taking a 20 year old PA28-140 up to 10,000' and spinning down to 4000 was definitely not my idea of fun! However Paul was about 19 years old at the time and I was of an age to be far more cautious. He has proved his ability and I spent the rest of my career as an ATCO!