“Jack of all trades and master of none” – such is the epithet handed out to me by Mark Cousins (Letters, March 17.

Depends what he means by this rather scathing title. I have, indeed, had quite a plethora of positions connected with my engineering-background.

Five-year apprenticeship as a precision turner at C.T.&S; 13 years as an engineer officer, in the Merchant Navy; two years contract in Botswana as senior inspector of works (diesel engines); mechanical engineer at Thorganby Frozen Foods for ten years, finishing my working-life as a commissioning and service engineer with an industrial refrigeration company, travelling worldwide as well as extensively in this country.

All the above, with the exception of my apprenticeship, being quite high-powered. If those positions meet Mr. Cousins’ criteria, then so be it.

I’ll stick with being an engineer with multi-skills.

Hopefully Mr. Cousins will reply with a description of what position/s he has held/is holding in his career.

Philip Roe, Roman Avenue South, Stamford Bridge, York.