Maximum skill level by TL

[cosmicfish]

I am looking at some character issues related to skill and came across an odd characteristic of technologically based skills - it is possible to have a high skill level in a low-TL skill, effectively meaning that the character is excellent at producing wrong answers!

For example, take Diagnosis/TL - at TL3, the sheer limitations on available knowledge means that even someone with a skill of 25 is going to draw a blank or else grab the leeches and cow dung. Even at TL8 there are significant limits on what we can diagnose, so it seems that there should be a "maximum effective skill level" for many technological skills.

My idea is for an optional rule, wherein each tech level would have a maximum skill level applied to certain skills like Physician, Chemistry, etc. Learning skills up to that level would follow the normal rules, as teachers and/or materials would be available. Learning skills beyond that level requires SOMEONE to innovate - part of the process of driving the skill towards the next TL's maximum skill level. Once someone has done so, they may become a resource for other students to learn from - although they may or may not actually do so.

In the rare instance that a player wanted to be that innovator, they would either need to spend extra time to do so (800 hours per character point?) or else use points from play along with some reasonable resource or source of inspiration - a TL8 Physicist witnessing a UFO may be able to advance their profession based on simple observations. With the GM's approval, the player could start a point over the maximum level provided they had a suitable backstory.

This is my idea, and one I want to implement as a house rule, but I am trying to figure out a reasonable set of skill levels. How does this look?:

TL / Skill
0 / 10
1 / 11
2 / 12
3 / 13
4 / 15
5 / 17
6 / 19
7 / 21
8 / 24
9 / 27
10 / 30
11 / 33
12 / 36

This is only a rough guide that I want to use - not perfect, but I want to create guidelines especially for desirable skills like Physician. I know the top levels are above the normal recommended limits, but a TL12 Physician is going to have a staggering array of knowledge and learning aids available to them.

Please note that this does not apply to ALL technological skills, just those where the skill attempts to answer absolute right/wrong questions. Engineering (Combat)/TL3 25 means that the character can make fantastic castles even though reinforced concrete is beyond them, and Boating (Unpowered)/TL1 21 produces a master of the dugout canoe.