Older style mechs worked on jets for an average of 4 years before they were offered a "Mickey Mouse" Fitters course, which is a year of full time. Many mechs waited up to 8 years before getting a fitters course - a bit of experience if you ask me - before gaining technician status. The reason for this long wait is because the RAF decided to train Mech Techs (rubber techies), who were guaranteed a fitters course after just 18 months! Not much experience, some never even worked on aircraft. This being so, there were no slots available for the old mechs.
So don't think that we all have had an easy ride, many of us feel let down by the RAF, so don't tar us all with the same brush.