Working in manufacturing (knee and hip implants, powered surgery tool geartrains and housings), attention to detail is what we get paid for, not the backbreaking work of pushing a cycle-start button.

Anybody can push a button, but how soon will they notice that one ±.0002" countersink diameter has drifted out of tolerance on a part with dozens of features? If it's slightly out of tolerance, will they have the integrity to reject the parts, or will they let them slip through the cracks? Will they know which combination of metrology equipment will give the most accurate measurement in a particular scenario?

Good machinists and CNC setup operators seem to be hard to find. In industries with high liability risks, you're better off not scraping the bottom of the barrel.

Hey, I would not say "little work". Most people at Volkswagen work at the production line and this work is really backbreaking.

> and this work is really backbreaking.

it is still physical work, but not as hard as you claim. Modern car plants aren't sweat-shops.

I've worked at a modern car plant, and it's definitely hard work, to the extent of being very painful at the end of the day at first when you're not used to it. It does take its toll, and it's not something you can do for decades unless you are exceptionally healthy.

There's a reason the staff is mostly young, and it's not because everyone goes into management ten years into the job.