[metmom]

I still think that part of the problem is that more people are going to college, and some of them are not "college material".

I think you're right. The trades are being discouraged and not everyone is cut out for college, but that leaves a lot of kids in a quandry. They're told to be successful they need to go to college and have a career, but they can't do it. Besides, we need the trades people. Who's going to fix out cars, weld our buildings and bridges, grow our food, build our furniture, etc? Kids should not be fed the line that trades are beneath them. There can be a lot of pride in a job well done.

[Amelia]

They're told to be successful they need to go to college and have a career, but they can't do it. Besides, we need the trades people.

I agree completely. Besides, I know several people with college degrees who have gone into trades because they paid better. :-)