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For what it's worth, I believe there is far too much importance placed on qualifications and too little placed on experience. I, for one, would much rather listen to somebody who knows what they are talking about rather than somebody who is 'qualified'.
There are countless examples where 'experts' have decided what course of action should be taken, with no regard given to the opinions of people who knew what they were talking about. The Canberra bushfire disaster is a perfect example. The people in charge were all experts, qualified in bush fires and fire management, and 'managed' one of the worst disasters to ever hit Canberra. Meanwhile, there were all the people who knew what they were doing, and knew what they were talking about, but were not qualified, so were not considered experts and were subsequently ignored. The fact that some of these people had lived on the land and been members of the local bush fire brigades for most of their lives was irrelevant. One of these people suggested that a fire break should be established around a rural township that was under threat, but was over-ruled by the experts who said it wasn't necessary. Out of frustration he took his crew and established the firebreaks that he had suggested, for which he was roundly criticised for disobeying the experts. These firebreaks were the only thing that saved his township.
I believe the pendulum needs to swing back a little bit, away from qualifications and towards common sense and experience.
I am not suggesting that qualifications are not necessary, just that qualifications can be gained from places other than a book.
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