Interesting to notice that a number of passive members have started posting and getting more involved over the past few days.
There are plenty of people with opposing views still on here and I'd imagine you will continue to get a steady stream of questions and answers, plus the same arguments which tend to come up regularly.
Many posts drift, just any group conversation / discussion drifts.
Neil
When comments are made about standardised training which would achieve your goal of grading, most say they don't want it. Why? Because it has a regulating element and that scares the unqualified !
If the new, or newish people coming into this industry receive training through Colleges, which I think is the best option, being nationwide and accessible to all, a National Standard is set and everyone wouls have to achieve the Standard to become a Registered Technician.
Courses have existed for years in just about every industry, or service and it gives a level at which to judge operators. Sure, you will always get the " smart ass " or the " minimum effort " types, but by offering a graded programme it will indicate clearly at what level an operator is working.
To get the kind of training the industry ( that's you ) wants the onnus is on the members of the industry to put together a series of graded packages, covering, the usual three levels of competence, with awards at each level.
Of course you will get some who will still give a poor service no matter how well qualified thet are on paper, but, there will be somewhere for the customer to go to with their complaints.
Your ideal HANDS ON TRAINING
At colleges the LECTURERS / TRAINERS are from the trade or service they teach and have to prove their competence before being accepted by the Education authorities. Some are part time spending one day a week, others full time.
It's common practice in delivering training courses, to have guests / visitors to come along and give demonstrations, or discuss real world situations, etc.
Training can be as basic, or as comprehensive as the industry wants.
Been there - Done it - Got the T shirts.
BICS have been training this way for at least 40 years, If the industry fails to set up a training organisation, you can be sure someone else will.
