I've never seen a job description for any job advertised in Medical Engineering that doesn't specify a level of academic attainment. All employers (particularly the NHS since the organisation has outlined the requirements for each grade, explicitly) think this is the case, irrespective of the job at whatever level. What's at issue is the qualifications (relevant knowledge, skills and experience) required to do the a job at a particular grade.
I think individuals have to get real and look a bit closer at what's actually happening in the job market - not what they want, or don't want, to happen - regulation is a possibility and the requirement for HNC and higher is with us. I hardly ever see any jobs advertised for fully qualified individuals that specify qualifications less than the level of HNC or equivalent these days. De-facto, employers specify a combination of "paper" qualifications, experience and practical skills all backed up by evidence.
The problem we've had for a long time is that the demand for technicians in the NHS has pushed managers to employ individuals with knowledge, skills and experience, at lower levels than are required in specific job-roles, at particular grades, by the existing guidelines, i.e. Whitley Council (these were actually no higher for fully qualified individuals than the NHS & VRCT is pushing now, i.e. HNC which is L4 NQF).
