Regardless of the financial structure of hospital trusts, which are in any case subject to almost constant change, in-service medical equipment will still need to be supported by competent technical staff.
Properly trained techs should be able to slot in to whatever weird and wonderful arrangements are the flavour of the month at any particular hospital. After all, kit is still kit whether it "comes under" Estates, Medical Physics, EBME or Uncle Tom Cobley (the third-party contractor).
The VRCT is just a smoke screen. It proves nothing and adds little of real value (in my opinion). What is needed is a return to the apprenticeship ideal, whereby young people get a thorough foundation in engineering applications and principles, plus plenty of "hands-on" practical work. I am talking of a process taking three years, not two weeks! Over such a period of time, a student can be "brought on", mentored, and taught by example. As we all know, a good biomed needs certain personal qualities, and these can be developed if need be. There's more to it than simply being good technically.
That's another reason why (to my mind) a degree proves nothing! What use (in the biomed scenario) is an educated "boffin", if s/he can't hack the "emotional blackmail" (and all the rest) that goes with the job?
You're right when you say that very few school leavers are attracted into the "trade". If they were paid (by the tax-payer, naturally) to attend the (long) training course, on the understanding that they would be embarking on a career in the NHS, perhaps a few more might find the idea appealing.
I believe it is about time those in charge (supposedly) of this country moved away from the notion of an endless stream of "cost-cutting" "quick-fixes", and started thinking in terms of policies of lasting value.
