Connex
You make very convincing arguments for atsa's/atca's to be well paid for the work that they do, but using the premise presented, you'd never convince NATS management or SRG that the post warrants an individual licence.
When it comes to support from atco's, they have no reason not to be forthcoming on this forum, I know that NATS frown upon being critisised in public - as does any employer, but as long as its constructive and valid they have nothing to fear.
On several occassions, you've used the phrase "team work", agreed, we are a team - each member of which has a duty of care to do their job to the best of their ability, but a team must have someone who is ultimately responsible, and like or not, that's not going to be the duty atsa (s).
Re reading my post, I accept that the final paragraph was unnecessary, and for that you have my apologies.
Finally, I fully support DC10's suggestion about certificates of competence, to be renewed annually and standards monitered on a regular basis, with the option for it to be suspended if standards are not maintained.
Personally I think that both NATS, non NATS employers and SRG will buy the C of C idea, and will give the atsa post the recognition it deserves.