QA are employed by the company, first and foremost, to protect the companies interest. They are there to ensure that, God forbid, if there is an incident, the Managers and the Company are in the clear. They will very rarely put anything in writing, this is to ensure that they themselves are not drawn into the quagmire.
What would I try to teach the new generation of engineers???? How about how to become Designers, sit behind a desk and enjoy life and family. Work steady hours without the stress and hardship of continually changing shift work. People on the tools are the first to be 'sacrificed' in times of hardship, the Certifying engineer is the first to be arrested at times of incident. Designers don't work Bank Holidays, Christmas or outside in freezing temperatures.
Protected in their offices, computers as their slaves, clean and pleasant surroundings, tea and coffee within arm-reach,
if I was 20 years younger....