Nothing much has changed in the the last 30 years. I remember taking the CAA to task over a North Sea helicopter operator in the early 80's that was giving full company approvals to mechanics who had failed their licence exam and therefore had demonstrated that they didn't meet the standard.
The pressure to do away with the licence has always been there and the bigger the airline the more they want it rid of it. All those expensive licensed engineers, what a waste of money!!!!!