AirTech wrote:
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Something you find missing in pretty much every third world country are decent trade schools. With no professional training of tradesmen you have people who have learnt from experience but lack the technical knowledge behind what they are doing. In most first world countries the trades staff and technicians are at least as well trained technically as a third world bachelors degree holder but have at least four years industrial experience before they will let an apprentice loose on his own.
This is the old issue the military face with breaking in new ensigns, the warrant officers know their job better by far but are expected to take orders from officers who may not yet know the depths of their incompetence. Generally officers are their to do the paperwork, the warrant officers are their to make sure the job is done right. Similarly most engineers shuffle paper and the technicians actually maintain the equipment. An new graduate engineer with a spanner in his hand is just plain dangerous. It takes three to four years before they are safe to work around.
IMNHO, the current tendency to push most people to college instead of trade training is a major mistake. I had engineering college, but they also
required us to take practical courses. At least, when we (later) had to rework an engine, there was enough experience to know the need to act as a helper instead of trying to give all the orders.
Electricity and control system were largely learned on my own - these are more theoretical, but you can still foul things up. Which is why I'm occasionally called back by my former boss - the replacement guy knows more hydraulics than I, but lacks control system practicum
