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Lost engineering skills

I was recently discussing energy strategy, and it was pointed out that reopening deep coal mines in the UK is easier said than done because the skills and body of knowledge relating to coal mining have now been practically lost. It's all there in books, but the number of people in the UK below retirement age who still possess such skills and knowledge are very few in number, so experienced people will have to be brought in from foreign countries in order to resurrect British deep coal mining.

This made me wonder what other engineering skills have largely been lost in the UK - or even worldwide - over the past few decades?

Are there any endangered niches where no formal training and education still exists, so anybody who wants to learn such skills has to do so via self study or workshop dabbling unless they personally know somebody with the skills?

Are there any areas of engineering where skills and knowledge are being lost because it's too risky (from a career perspective) for young people to devote too much time to learning them?

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  • One specific skill that has been largely lost is terminating MICC cable. When I worked for a maintenance contractor, I suspect that I was the only employee able to do this.

    On a more general note, there seems to have been a decline in basic electrical knowledge, as distinct from following regulations. Wiring a conventional two way light switch seems increasingly baffling, and as for switching from more than two locations, forget it.

    There seems to be a general lack of  common sense regarding replacing basic components with slightly different parts. And not high technology or specialist components but generic lamps, ballasts, batteries, and relays. Example- a small central battery emergency lighting unit "could not be repaired" due to a failed relay that was no longer available. This was a common type of heavy duty changeover relay. About £10 from RS.

    I recently met an electrician who believed that fuses do in some way regulate or control the amount of electricity used under normal use. They have fitted one amp fuses to many appliances and are expecting a substantial reduction in consumption.

  • Are you sure you are referring to an electrician?

    I received information from an engineering manager that mains powered equipment was fitted with 1A plug fuses for extra safety whilst failing to realise that the plug fuse protects the mains lead, not the equipment itself. The manager only had O Level education and had almost no further education or training on anything electrical.

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  • Are you sure you are referring to an electrician?

    I received information from an engineering manager that mains powered equipment was fitted with 1A plug fuses for extra safety whilst failing to realise that the plug fuse protects the mains lead, not the equipment itself. The manager only had O Level education and had almost no further education or training on anything electrical.

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