We're talking about technicians/fitters/mechanics aren't we? Apprenticeships are what is needed, some even degree apprenticeships. The UK isn't set up to train the required amount of people with the required knowledge. Why on earth would we need them, some people that know better decided that it wouldn't be necessary to maintain that capability. Surely they were paid reassuringly enough money to make good decisions that protect capability at the time and in the future. Surely, they knew best.
As you can tell...this sort of thinking f'ing infuriates me, and it is endemic in the UK.