Hmmm.... I going to have to digest what was said by Cormac.
What I am going to try is staying the course with the RM system and one profession and use the training packages as the job, again as in RM. However I have adjusted a few rules in the training package.
1) A vocational package can be bought up to 3 times
2) A Lifestyle package MUST be bought 3 times. This is to show the greater discipline of training for the job.
3) The first time the package is bought, the price is discounted to 50%. The second time the price is discounted to 25%. The third time the price is discounted to 10%.
4) Each purchase allows another attempt at getting any special items, missed the last time.
5) After the third and final purchase, certain category skill costs are adjusted slightly to show that the character has acquired enough knowledge to not only perform the job but to learn more. This can never be better than what the "ideal" profession would cost. For example, if a person took a Weapon Master package, their primary category can never be better than that of a fighter.
6) Special bonus, class adjustments can also be made if appropriate. Again never better than the "ideal" profession for the package. That is a Rogue can be trained to match the weapon skills of a fighter, but in the end, the Fighter should still have the greater advantage in his profession. The Rogue may be able to match wits with the sword but the fighters tactics and special attacks should best the Rogue.
I'm going to try this and see how the sheets turn out. I already created a character sheet for myself testing the physician training package. I think I may have overdone it with the ranks.
So far I like the idea. For me I thought the old model of training packages really didn't add too much to the character to give them the identity of the package. This version definitely shows they have had the training, kinda like the character went to a trade school or learned from a highly skilled master through a serious and disciplined environment.
A couple of pratfalls:
1) what about training during the campaign? If characters start at level 3, I would imagine for the first 3 levels the package purchased should be a lifestyle package. Then during the campaign, if the player has the time to kill to learn another package, then go for it, but in some cases, some campaigns just don't give characters the time to do this.
2) How to keep things balanced between professions?
Let's hope the players like the new setup. Another way to see if the new rules pass the test.