EBME Forums Forums Management Recruitment Trainee EBME Technician Salary?

Tony, Bill. being out here does not worry me and I prefer to be here than the UK, especially at this time of year although at 20-25 C it is getting a bit chilly.

@Bill, Tony et al.

Perhaps the guy is simply keeping his powder dry.

Either that, or he's come on here, had a look around, then asked himself the question:- "is that how I want to end up in thirty or so years time"?

Then (quite rightly) thought better of it, and gone off to work in the shopping mall, banking, local government, 'elf 'n safety, social services, or some other worthwhile pursuit much in demand.

Im not surprised! Those bandings are awful! Is it just me or was afc miserably failed in its attempt to "standardise" for all jobs across the country?

No, it's not just you (see earlier rants, many and various).

If that were true, then a HND would outweigh a Degree, as it is a much more "hands on" qualification as opposed to the theoretical work of a degree.

The lad may be labouring under a misapprehension, I'm afraid. I see it a lot amongst youngsters, and it's a pity that they've been "sold a pup", as it were.

But, never mind, reality has to kick in at some stage, so it's probably best that it happens earlier, rather than later.

Degrees are two-a-penny these days, to the extent that they have become devalued. In ten years time, everyone will be expected to come armed with a Masters, no doubt.

But (as we all know) the work is still primarily about "hands on". Some folk have an aptitude for it, some don't. I'm sure that most of us could suss that out in a guy in eight days (or less, I would like to think) rather than 18 months.

Totally agree Geoff.We are in danger of "locking out" good "hands on" type of people who cannot apply for posts because they need a Degree.
Then as you say it will be a Masters Degree!! (or already has)

When you hear of folk in the trade with a Masters Degree in Biomedical Engineering who cannot solder -this is what we are up against - academia rather than practical skills.
This is the way everything is going.

The young ones don't know what the EBME technician got paid back in the Medical Physics Technician days -there seems to be a culture of wanting to run before they can walk.
We had to work for many years on trainee/junior grades.
There needs to be a balance.
Perhaps someone with a physics degree should be looking to become a physicist in a hospital rather than a Technician.

Educated idiots? I've been fighting them all my life!

Welcome to the forum, Mate.

Couple of years back I interviewed a recent graduate from a local uni Biomed Degree. As part of the interview I handed over a fairly simple circuit diagram and asked them to tell me what it was. After a few seconds they admitted that they could not read a diagram at all. Have to admit, I was shocked.

Having a degree shows the ability to "think" to a certain level but I have to confess, more often than not, I would rather take on someone who had a good few years fixing TVs and videos. At least they will know one end of a diode from the other. That being said, several of my team do have degrees (in electronics engineering) and they are top class.

How come you were shocked?

(see my previous post)

Yes ... ex-TV trade techs make damned good biomeds, I have found. But they are yet another dying breed, of course.

Gawd knows what the "profession" will be like in ten years time.

To my mind, having a recent "higher qualification" demonstrates little more than an ability to "cut and paste", rather than "think". Most of 'em seem unable to write (spell, grammar etc.) ... but I'm told "that doesn't matter these days"! To which I say b******s!

What about maths? Are these fertile young minds any good at that (which at least would demonstrate an ability to think logically, reason, etc.)?

In short, what can they do? Manage? Managers are two-a-penny. After all, what's so difficult about playing with spreadsheets and attending meetings? What we want are hands-on techs, practical people who can get stuck in and clear the work. You don't need to be clever, just resourceful, industrious, and - yes - enthusiastic!

Technicians. Not Boffins, or PhD material!