Glad to hear it wouldn't be a union job - then the guy doing it must've earned it and be quite skilled.
Sadly, these days, the non-degreed jobs don't get the respect that they used to. Carpenters, mechanics, construction workers, plumbers, etc. are all skilled jobs and are needed in our society, but aren't always treated like professionals. (Probably because illegals are doing a lot of the work and are dragging down the wages and the reputation.)
But, on the other hand, not all college degrees are useless (although I will grant that probably any liberal arts degree is and a person could make more money by spending the 4 years starting in a company and working their way up.) But - the guy running the crane couldn't be doing that job unless an engineer worked on the design and manufacturing of the crane. And I wouldn't want to go into a building or ride in a vehicle unless someone qualified did the calculations to make sure it was safely built.
We need all of these professions. But, it's too bad more trade schools aren't available. But I guess that's what the military is good at, like you said - my hubby went through the nuclear power school in the Navy and I hear most power plants look for those that made it through that school because they know they'll get qualified people.
I took the Radiac Maintenance and Calibration course in the AF at Lowry AFB. I could work at power plants, but I like working outdoors on radar equipment. Everybody that does these specific jobs seems to know everyone else and other companies through contracts and communication. I can move to several states and have a job waiting.
I know somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody else.
That is called a network. It's under the 'radar' screen of any news organization. And those jobs get filled without advertising in some newspaper, unless it's a very big project. Tell your hubby to keep his security clearance. It's worth a lot.