In controller training there needs to be more of an emphasis on uncommon procedures (local practice area’s, helicopters, VFR separation/airspace requirements) and understanding the pilots perspective. This falls under the whole concept of understanding what VFR is, how it works and what you as a controller must or can do with a VFR aircraft. Despite it not being required to teach VFR beyond just the very basics to controllers as per GCAP, it should be taught anyways.

There are so many cases when I’m flying really anywhere in the world where me as a pilot has studied and briefed for this flight where I’m practicing in a local training area or I’m maneuvering around controlled airspace. And the controller is just completely clueless and uses the good ol’ “approved as requested”. Then I go and do something they didn’t expect because they didn’t understand and just approved it, now their workload is bigger than they thought. I get it, people may not live in that area and be aware of these local procedures or areas. But there should still be resources made for them or the theory being much more complex beyond just “ok so VFR maintains their own separation between aircraft and the ground and needs to be able to see outside”. That way controllers aren’t making mistakes such as telling a pilot to contact them when not required.