Coronavirus: overhyped fear-mongering or potential mega doom?

[tell it like it is]

Ooooh very Trump like.

Com'on UK do the same bring the jobs home

Nothing to do with Trump.

Governments focused on uni degrees to the point that most degrees these days are devalued. Polys became Unis, more people have a degree then the less it actually means. Plenty of college lecturers have never worked in the real world so theoretical rather than practical can dominate.

I think UK should remove offshoring for activities. IT offshoring hasn't worked, that's pretty much evidence. I'd like to see us building up our manufacturing sector and I think the education sector needs to reflect that. Practical qualifications need to be massively improved.

[life on mars]

Nothing to do with Trump.

Governments focused on uni degrees to the point that most degrees these days are devalued. Polys became Unis, more people have a degree then the less it actually means. Plenty of college lecturers have never worked in the real world so theoretical rather than practical can dominate.

I think UK should remove offshoring for activities. IT offshoring hasn't worked, that's pretty much evidence. I'd like to see us building up our manufacturing sector and I think the education sector needs to reflect that. Practical qualifications need to be massively improved.

I would politely disagree , his campaign march in 2016 was very much on that theme where he promised that his steep tariffs on Chinese goods would help bring jobs back to the U.S .

I know it wont work as the world is a bigger economy now but it was his theme and idea to deal with unemployment in the "Rust Belt" which has been in decline since the 80's , its a bit like UK and some parts of Europe , its sold it manufacturing base to India , China and Asia for cheaper white goods and clothing .

[tell it like it is]

I would politely disagree , his campaign march in 2016 was very much on that theme where he promised that his steep tariffs on Chinese goods would help bring jobs back to the U.S .

I know it wont work as the world is a bigger economy now but it was his theme and idea to deal with unemployment in the "Rust Belt" which has been in decline since the 80's , its a bit like UK and some parts of Europe , its sold it manufacturing base to India , China and Asia for cheaper white goods and clothing .

I've had the view manufacturing in UK should be prioritised for years before Trump became President... ditto education reforms.

What coronavirus has shown is that it's folly to put eggs in one basket, relying on China for manufacturing is ridiculous.

We need to get away from everyone being brought up and pushed to do university degrees unit for purpose and recognise that for many, vocational pathways are far, far more important - and they should be given equal status.

[life on mars]

I've had the view manufacturing in UK should be prioritised for years before Trump became President... ditto education reforms.

What coronavirus has shown is that it's folly to put eggs in one basket, relying on China for manufacturing is ridiculous.

We need to get away from everyone being brought up and pushed to do university degrees unit for purpose and recognise that for many, vocational pathways are far, far more important - and they should be given equal status.

yes up skilling folk in the manufacturing arena's woudl be great , as Japan lets start to bring it back to the shores ,yes we may pay more as our wage / employee costs are much higher , but you cant have the cake and the bun , this rush for cheaper goods has costs us ..

[Eric Cartman]

I've had the view manufacturing in UK should be prioritised for years before Trump became President... ditto education reforms.

What coronavirus has shown is that it's folly to put eggs in one basket, relying on China for manufacturing is ridiculous.

We need to get away from everyone being brought up and pushed to do university degrees unit for purpose and recognise that for many, vocational pathways are far, far more important - and they should be given equal status.

What do you mean by equal status?

[tell it like it is]

What do you mean by equal status?

It's always been viewed that Universities are bastions of intellect ( spoiler - most aren't ) whilst mechanics are well, just there.

A highly skilled mechanic is far more important imo than a media studies degree.

[Eric Cartman]

It's always been viewed that Universities are bastions of intellect ( spoiler - most aren't ) whilst mechanics are well, just there.

A highly skilled mechanic is far more important imo than a media studies degree.

Oh I agree with that, they also probably earn more and pay significantly less to obtain that knowledge/skillset. The University system is a mess, Labour started the cock up and the Lib Dem's and Tories have doubled down on it to leave us with something that just isn't fit for purpose.

[Wales-Bales]

It's always been viewed that Universities are bastions of intellect ( spoiler - most aren't ) whilst mechanics are well, just there.

I remember challenging a grade once after spending a lot of time researching a specific topic, and the lecturer at my top tier university said I didn't know what I was talking about. So I contacted the professor at MIT in America who was the originator of this particular field of study and he said my work was outstanding, and my understanding of the subject was at PhD level. It was then that I realised that most universities are treadmills, and that it was entirely possible to self-educate oneself if you have the requisite skillset.

[jon1959]

I remember challenging a grade once after spending a lot of time researching a specific topic, and the lecturer at my top tier university said I didn't know what I was talking about. So I contacted the professor at MIT in America who was the originator of this particular field of study and he said my work was outstanding, and my understanding of the subject was at PhD level. It was then that I realised that most universities are treadmills, and that it was entirely possible to self-educate oneself if you have the requisite skillset.

In some ways this post explains exactly why you have that deep love affair with Donald J Trump.

They broke the mould when they made you two!

[cyril evans awaydays]

I remember challenging a grade once after spending a lot of time researching a specific topic, and the lecturer at my top tier university said I didn't know what I was talking about. So I contacted the professor at MIT in America who was the originator of this particular field of study and he said my work was outstanding, and my understanding of the subject was at PhD level. It was then that I realised that most universities are treadmills, and that it was entirely possible to self-educate oneself if you have the requisite skillset.

So what did you do? Use the MIT Professor's words to go and get that PhD and show that top tier University what a talented god they had within their midst or get off the treadmill, self-educate and spend a few decades on a football messageboard trying to convince seriously sceptical people about how clever you really are?

[the other bob wilson]

I remember challenging a grade once after spending a lot of time researching a specific topic, and the lecturer at my top tier university said I didn't know what I was talking about. So I contacted the professor at MIT in America who was the originator of this particular field of study and he said my work was outstanding, and my understanding of the subject was at PhD level. It was then that I realised that most universities are treadmills, and that it was entirely possible to self-educate oneself if you have the requisite skillset.

This university of yours, it was in a penthouse then was it?

[Wales-Bales]

Governments focused on uni degrees to the point that most degrees these days are devalued. Polys became Unis, more people have a degree then the less it actually means. Plenty of college lecturers have never worked in the real world so theoretical rather than practical can dominate.

It was all about growing the student loan market IMO.

[tell it like it is]

It was all about growing the student loan market IMO.

Most of which are never repaid.

[Eric Cartman]

Most of which are never repaid.

Well the main issue is uncertainty. The student doesn't know how much their degree is going to cost them and the taxpayer doesn't know to what extent they are funding the student. It is a really good example of kicking the can down the road.