Why being an Engineer means nothing in this country

[Ricochet J]

An engineering degree usually lasts 4 years including the Masters year to achieve recognition from the body of Chartered Engineers, CEng. An engineering degree is very demanding and not many people get through to become a chartered engineer. It involves problem solving techniques, heavy mathematics and science principles, such as Physics (Mechanical & Aeronautical Engineering), Chemistry (Chemical Engineering) and Biology (Medical Engineering) amongst many other fields. In order to succeed you would need to understand concepts from first principles such as Newtons Laws of Motion and Fluid Viscosity. Bernoulli concepts and electrical laws such as Ohms and Faradays laws. How a capacitor works and how it can analogue real life situations. It also involves thorough research using the most accurate and precise instruments and skills that are not taught over night. Such as CAD programs (AutoCAD), programming software (MatLab), economic value engineering to determine the cost to usefulness ratio.
I’ve also missed a hell of a lot more but you get the message.

So that’s 4 years of hard learning, plus many more years of experience in the industry and you’re still learning some more.

Then a plumber/electrician/boiler man/car mechanic comes a long to your home to fix what ever needs fixing and calls him self an “engineer”.
When something goes wrong, these companies send out “engineers” to fix the problem.

It is now a case that engineers and these “call out helpers” are now categorised in the same league as non/semi-skilled.

Did those people go to university to get a degree? Did those people receive recognition (not that it even means anything any more)?

When was the last time a plumber/electrician/boiler man/car mechanic used the Euler Buckling Theory to design a bridge that will span the Severn River?

 

[Ricochet J]

But it shouldn't be a general term. An Engineer is a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve real life practical problems which may hinder future progression.
Thames barrier was designed by Engineers using Fluid Mechanics so London does not become flooded in high tide. I doubt your average LCD TV fixer man can do that.

 

[Ricochet J]

It's just a title man! Chill. It's the same as "doctors" (of medicine)... not actually being 'Dr' at all.

What do you do meghatronic?

 

[Ricochet J]

An TV repair engineer uses knowledge and training to identify and solve the real life practical problem of the equipment not functioning correctly which may hinder future use.

Sounds very similar to me...

It hinders future use, doesn't hinder future progression.
The customer could just as easily ask the repair man to fix the dead capacitor or what ever is wrong with the TV. But ask the repair man how the capacitor works and he wouldn't know.

 

[Ricochet J]

Jez I understand I probably am over reacting. However when you consider I'm paying an arm and a leg for a brilliant degree, then some maintenance worker comes along calling themselves an Engineer can be very frustrating.

 

[Ricochet J]

After reading the entire thread up to now it seems either people support what I am saying or people are calling me an ignorant and bigoted snob who thinks he's knows a thing or two because he’s a graduate.

Although, the opening post of mine may have come down harsh, I still stand by my words. But at the same time I respect all the plumbers, electricians, mechanics because without them the designs will not have been deployed into households. Fair do's.

But all those people arguing otherwise, do you not think a Sky Installation man calling himself an engineer is a bit far fetched? I could just leave it at that and have the last laugh when it comes down to me describing to the Sky man how the satellite transmits and receives data which I would have learnt from Engineering. But, then, when will this stop if people who are unhappy don't act?

Would you honestly call Isambard Kingdom Brunel a technician? No, he was an Engineer. Just like many other people who are working toward that status.