McAero,
Surely you don't mean control rods, wires and turnbuckles? maybe even the ability to wirelock an elbow union while standing on your head...ah happy days! what a radical idea!!
I agree that some basic understanding of relatively simple systems would be a good idea for many especially those who dont have any practical experience. Once you learn the basics, systems actually seem to get easier in this day and age and it is my experience that there is a distinct shortage of basic hand skills among new techies. The value from such an approach would be dependant on the ability of the instructors to distil the information into nice plain terms. Maybe the much discussed foundation year should be a practical placement with a nuts/bolts, wire and plugs company to develop some practical understanding of the difficulties faced by the techies. Hmmm could be interesting!
JJ