Abstract
The roles of the technologist and technician are discussed. Definitions which stress the innovational role if the technologist are misleading and it is suggested that the difference between technologist and technician involves distinguishing between different degrees of executive authority in the technical field. The need for formal academic training of technicians is stressed, in order that familiarity with craft skills might be sufficiently augmented by theoretical understanding. Various kinds of technician training are elaborated. The initial training of corrosion technologists is discussed and various routes to qualification are compared. Whilst valuableinitial training may be given In several fields, most notably metallurgy and chemical engineering, it iS argued that corrosion technology is essentially a postgraduate subject and requires competence in many disciplines. Whilst there is some evidence that the supply of corrosion technologists is sufficient to meet the demands of the U.K., It appears that the numbers of trained corrosion technicians are inadequate; the same is apparently true of several European countries. In order to promote an understanding of corrOsion science and technology amongst technicians and to bring home to designers and managers the importance of good design and maintenance, there is a need for a recognised standard of competence at all levels, and a clear route whereby aspirants may progress to a higher recognised level. The role of professional bodies is discussed in this connexion.
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