I think we have to accept that these days those who are committed to doing science and engineering subjects, from school, are likely to be looking for a "professional career" and are more likely to study for degrees. Particularly as there is continual pressure to perform, more individuals are obtaining degrees than ever and some have the impression that the earning potential of jobs that require higher qualifications is also higher. This aside; more job applicants will eventually be degree educated than not if industry doesn't provide enough individuals with basic engineering training and vocational education and the NHS requires degree-educated individuals only.
I can't see the NHS employing technicians with further vocational qualifications and non-specific training as "Engineering Professionals" if other NHS professionals have to have specific training and higher qualifications. If they do then these people will not be employed as professionals with protected titles nor will they be attract people with skills that are in demand into the profession with decent salaries. I think generalisations that degree-educated individuals are not up to the job gets us nowhere. Especially when it is a fact that 25% of NHS employed maintenance technicians are likely to have a degree and 90% have higher qualifications (according to the recent poll on this site). Academic attainment is one statistic that is pretty cut and dry on paper.
This academic qualifications argument is a red-herring - the real argument should be about the entry-level requirements of those wishing to enter this "profession", whether that be with A-levels or C&GLI or ONC/OND/HNC/HND or equivalent plus experience, how long the training lasts, it's content and what degree, experience and skills you come out of it with. And of course what pay you get for the extra effort. I'm trying to put across a viewpoint based on what's happening (or is most likely to be the situation very soon) rather than what I think should happen.
