Hi Ghenghis,
Some good points here. I did a B.Sc(hons) full time ages ago. Entry level was with an HTEC. I managed it ,but the maths was a bit of a struggle at first. I went back to licensed engineering because there was more money in it for me. However once you've got a degree nobody can take it away from you and it may always prove useful in the future. It will certainly give me an advantage should I ever decide to return to the so called "white collar" situation.
However I must say I abhor the idea of the divide as it is that you mention. The divide in my experience is usually caused by non engineering people!!!!!