The article considers a number of currently relevant problems in the systems of domestic engineering education, teacher training and general education as links of an interconnected chain on which the future of the country depends. The ways of their solution are suggested and substantiated. To provide conditions for transition of the country to sustainable development it is necessary to revive the national industrial potential based on high technology, a new industrialization is needed. Therefore, the training of highly qualified engineering and technical personnel capable of implementing this industrialization is relevant and is one of the priorities of state policy in the field of education. Preparation for future engineering-technical activity should start already at the school desk, and it requires appropriate training of a school teacher and creation of appropriate conditions. Physics is the general educational basis for the training of a modern engineer, and the ability to solve problems is a necessary professional quality. The article presents the results of a pedagogical experiment to develop and implement the technology of training students and schoolchildren in physics on the basis of anticipatory independent work, the development of students' technical thinking. Keywords: engineering and general education; teacher training; technical thinking; physics problems with technical content.