@kaji I understand your speech and share it. I feel like you in your own situation. I find myself playing an important role, but I don't feel like I'm at the level. But I think your speech goes a little off topic.
to answer
@ maurotc, I share the speech that the level has dropped, however, because perhaps the question has increased. Now the sectors are well specific and find someone suitable for your need, already trained and operational is difficult.
I would also like to add, and not by criticism, that Italian education is not of great help, especially if you leave an itis. the teaching of course is very general and we always specialize during the working years.
During my working years I noticed a lot of difference, which I initially stupidly ignored, between designer and designer.
the designer is a figure that can read and make technical drawings. nowadays obviously should be able to exploit a 3d modeling software. should be able to assign the right dimensional and geometric tolerances, also knowing all degrees of roughness.
Then, I see that it is not required in work questions, but I think it should also be able to use the main measuring instruments to detect the size of the pieces.
in most of the job offers I read, companies look for designers in possession of a degree, but for my opinion, I would say that it is an excessive title to cover the "simple" role of designer.
the designer, who not necessarily plays the role as a designer, is a more complex figure. the problem is as reported before being there various sectors, everyone should be able to design what he is working on. a mechanical designer who works in a company that produces details that are static at work, but who are subjected perhaps to atmospheric phenomena, must have different skills than one who designs pieces with dynamic stresses.
certainly this second role can be better covered by a figure with a laura, but I am sure that experience counts a lot in work and that even a graduate can be able to achieve the degree of designer without too much difficulty.
After this prelude, I would say that a designer (generic), should be able to design from scratch mechanical details, calculating the minimum sections necessary according to the material used and the type of stress that undergoes the piece. Obviously there are many other skills that should cover, I wanted to stay a lot on the generic.