Get better tools. Store-bought tools take about twice as long as top-end tools. You can get some decent steel ones for about 10 platinum each, and they'll drop your time investment by about 20%. Higher stats also helps as it seems to give you a higher chance for the CD reduction.

I may be imagining this, but I avoid techs solely for learning. They seem to decrease difficulty which decreases experience. Think of the original HOL. However, I do like the techs that increase quality and speed. Those let you pump out higher value workorders more effectively and get more xp for your time.

If you're going to be doing a lot of crafting...

- Basic and advanced tool repair are nice.

- Proper forging tool care is a QoL improvement, but it's not mandatory.

- Master Metallurgy is great if you're making your own steel with store bought goods, or if you're making tools as part of your training routine.

- Armorcraft Acumen if you're making armor.

- Weaponcraft Acumen if you're making weapons.

Do hard work orders. Use the metal that allows you to complete the order well enough to turn it in. You should be locking your skill with 3 items if you are making weapons. If you aren't learning enough the metal is too easy. If you aren't getting exceptional or better quality the metal is too hard. You can use epedia crafting materials page to determine workability of metals. You will be give orders that get progressively easier to complete and thus less learning so you switch to harder metals to work with as this happens. My rule of thumb is 12 mind states per item or switch metals. As you gain skill you will move up tiers. Getting techs means you can do higher tier orders at lower levels of skill. 4300 hard work orders and counting. I have never done anything less that a hard work order.

Hard weaponsmithing work orders with brass did the trick...12 mind states per item. Thanks!