In point of fact, the employment numbers for construction and manufacturing was at 2007 levels according to the Dept of Labor. These are the highest paying jobs available to the less educated. This tells you a lot about why Trump won the working class. A lot of those who obtained jobs in that period were paid a lot less than in construction/manufacturing.
In construction and manufacturing, you’re also butting heads with the illegals who live three families to a home, and don’t need to make as much.
I agree with your thoughts.