Boeingdream.
There are still a number of ex FEs who are Capts and FOs that only did an intermediate certificate ie 3 years of high school.That was normal in the 60s prior to the HSC. However they have also done numerous technical courses during their years as apprentices,as LAMEs and flight ops both as FEs and Pilots. Most of this was way above the HSC level in maths and physics.
I did a uni degree towards the end of my flying career and it was no where near as difficult or intense as most of my engineering training.I fail to see what the connection is to the standard of Qantas pilots if some of the older ones only have 3 years of high school.
Wunwing