A mechanical engineer with < 1 year of experience likely has a degree in Engineering, which has been certified by a professional body. In some countries that's a requirement for using the term "Engineer".

A junior web developer, with less than 1 years experience might have spent two days reading https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sams-Teach-Yourself-PHP-Hours/dp/06... (if that).

Let's not pretend those are the same.

Software Engineering has a history of trashing any benefits of formal education, and refusing to believe that any of it has any worth.