Blue Collar or White Collar

I think it is changing, or bifurcating.

There is now such a high degree of automation that medical labs are employing semi-skilled workers with no career path as well as the more highly educated and skilled workers.

Engineering companies are seeing the same thing. So much of the more routine work can be done by engineering techs now due to automation. For decades there were draftsmen and such, but now 2nd-tier workers have more expanded roles.

I'd say the biggest distinction is the level of responsibility, even more than the complexity of the tasks and volume of knowledge and experience required.
 
I was a Shipper/ Receiver with a company for many years.

That's the title you are given when you aren't very good at anything, but they have to name your position something.
 
debodun said:
Would you consider a laboratory technician blue or white collar? No jokes about a lab coat having a white collar - I've heard it. :)
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I suppose it depends on the kind of laboratory. I work in an automotive lab. I consider myself neither white nor blue. People outside of my work consider me white-collar though.
 
debodun said:
Would you consider a laboratory technician blue or white collar?
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It's a very subjective question. Having worked in and with laboratories throughout my career, I would say it's white collar if:
1. if the position requires a 4 year college degree, and
2. if the work involved requires actually being able to apply the knowledge so acquired.

As my professional experience was primarily in chemistry, such a person is generally referred to as a "chemist", while a "chemistry technician" is a support person. That said, one GOOD technician is worth a dozen mediocre chemists! ;)
 
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