Im a graduate Engineer, my white collar was looking pretty grimy yesterday so I put on a blue one this morning
As for Engineers and re training...someone suggested we dont re train....How wrong they are.We need to keep upto date with the latest technology so we can incorporate these advances, in things like ..err .....Aeroplanes, for example. Ever heard of CPD (Continuous Professional Development)
Of course us engineers undergo re training. The component parts and design of a Rolls Royce Trent are totally different to a Pratt and Whitney JT8D...I wouldnt want a RR qualified Mechanic working on the Pratt and Whitney without any form of re training and I suspect you pilots would express the same sentiment..
Legislation is forcing re training of all sorts of skill sets in all sorts of industries, some more consequential than others
I dont go much on the colour of ones collar, "Engineer" covers all types of collar, grimy , neatly starched in white or otherwise. Some of us engineers even have flat caps with a "flash point"