That is interesting. I would like learning how to work with such machines, because the objects we use every day are not created ONLY by computers and robots. In order to make a good living we shoud have a wide range of skills and knowledge, because you never know what life brings to you. In case someone loses his/her job and he/she is capable of doing something else, rather than what he/she did at the work place, that person won't have great difficulty in finding a new job. Well, at least that's my idea. This is what the Romanian school was trying to teach us before the Revolution from 1989. Having a wide range of skills makes life more comfortable. Now our school is based only on theoretical knowledge...
As for my profile, I will do what you said, Spec.
Hy Andrei,
You seem to be another young person with a mature brain.
Having multiple skills is a great asset to some people, not only because it makes them more valuable employees, but also because it is very empowering. Some people in the UK are now so isolated from the practical side of life that they literally cant change a light bulb themselves. The other thing is that if you have practical knowledge and skills it helps you with your theoretical work because you have a wider view.
On the subject of schools teaching practical subjects, it is a good idea provided that it does not detract from the academic side too much. At my school we had woodworking, metalworking, gardening, art, commercial, and domestic science, which took up a disproportionate amount of time and resources. Also the girls only did the latter three subjects while the boys only did the former four.
Quite honestly, for the majority of the boys, the practical subjects were a complete waste of time. Not only did they hate the lessons but they had no interest or aptitude whatsoever. On the other hand there was a few who were naturals.
My feeling is that schools should teach the basics thoroughly and in an interesting way: language, maths, science, literature, personal skills and that there should be some kind of government backed scheme to provide facilities/experience of practical subjects. In the UK we used to have the apprenticeship scheme which was axed in one of the governments cost cutting exercises. In my opinion it was one of the biggest mistakes which they are trying to correct now.
One of the best things for anyone with a practical bent who is going into engineering is to peruse a hobby that involves using your hands: repairing push bikes, motor cars, motor bikes; woodworking, metalworking; building circuits, the list goes on and on. Many of my mates can turn their hand to anything short of child birth and brain surgery.
Just a word of caution though, another mate literally couldn't drill a hole in a piece of metal and held tools as though they were contaminated in some way. He became the financial director of a large multinational company while I was just an engineer.
Nice to see your country on your profile- looks much more classy now.
spec