to 
Why not have a system of internal and external referrals? Candidates are referred to supervisors or positions that they haven’t applied for, but where they may be a strong fit? Distributing across labs and universities. Reducing competition and optimising how we allocation.
-
That should exist but would be a bit more work to dig out. I also strongly disagree that you should be paid more for being more educated, but I know this is a minority position along academics.
That’s kind of the whole reason for grad schemes exist and on the job training is becoming the norm. The bigger issue is degrees have been commodified which we need to move away from. Everyone has one now are they’re not of equal quality.