Spinal
MB Enthusiast
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2004
- Messages
- 4,806
- Location
- between Uxbridge and the Alps
- Car
- x254, G350, Duster, S320, Mach1, 900ss and a few more
Over the last 12 months, I've noticed that just about every friend I had in college has gotten a job...
Problem is, every single one of them has gotten a job outside of the UK... Apparently, they can get better paid jobs in countries where the cost of living is lower and where engineers are respected skilled people and not the bottom of the employment foodchain.
I would love to say I disagree with them... but sadly, I too have noticed that IT/engineering jobs in the UK are stagnating - and recently have been approached by companies in Shaghai, HK, Dubai and Italy regarding positions there...
Before anyone says that these are people with no skills, that have partied for 4 years at college without studying - these are people who spent for years (and considerable sums as some of them aren't British) to study until late every night including weekends, and have Masters degree from Imperial and Oxford... not exactly West Brum college...
Why are engineers (mechanical or otherwise) not seen a skilled labourers in the UK? Why isn't this a protected field like doctors and lawyers? You wouldn't trust someone to do heart surgery if he didn't have a piece of paper on his wall, why do people trust experience alone as a qualification to build a bridge? Experience plays an important role, but there is a foundation that is needed that only formal education can provide. One cannot go without the other and vice-versa.
GAAHHHH!
Ok, rant over. Had to get it off my chest.
M.
Problem is, every single one of them has gotten a job outside of the UK... Apparently, they can get better paid jobs in countries where the cost of living is lower and where engineers are respected skilled people and not the bottom of the employment foodchain.
I would love to say I disagree with them... but sadly, I too have noticed that IT/engineering jobs in the UK are stagnating - and recently have been approached by companies in Shaghai, HK, Dubai and Italy regarding positions there...
Before anyone says that these are people with no skills, that have partied for 4 years at college without studying - these are people who spent for years (and considerable sums as some of them aren't British) to study until late every night including weekends, and have Masters degree from Imperial and Oxford... not exactly West Brum college...
Why are engineers (mechanical or otherwise) not seen a skilled labourers in the UK? Why isn't this a protected field like doctors and lawyers? You wouldn't trust someone to do heart surgery if he didn't have a piece of paper on his wall, why do people trust experience alone as a qualification to build a bridge? Experience plays an important role, but there is a foundation that is needed that only formal education can provide. One cannot go without the other and vice-versa.
GAAHHHH!
Ok, rant over. Had to get it off my chest.
M.