It's the same here in Greece.
Most repair work is done by underpaid "technicians" with obscure backgrounds. And not because of the depression. It was like that even before.
And yes engineers get no respect here either. Our local heavy industry was killed-off in a few months back in the 80s. And engineers ended up in the same bin with the above mentioned "technicians".
The only way to get decent money as an engineer is to migrate to Germany.
Sources: Modified SL1200 MK2, Salas folded RIAA, Phonoclone, VSPS, Shelter 501 MK2, Modified Pioneer P6D6 as transport, Shigaclone transport, Peter Daniel NOS DAC.
Amplification: Custom 211 Monoblocks, Electrocompaniet AW120, Audio Research VS110, Gainclone
Loudspeakers: Tannoy Turnberry, PBN Montana EP Signature
Cables/stands: Tempflex ribbon and Twinax cables
Other: Promitheus Signature Passive Attenuator, Custom JFET - transformer preamp.