This country has lost its once great manufacturing ability. Skilled trades people of not long ago will never pass those skills and knowledge on to the generation that will have to replace them. Computers, automation and advanced technology can’t do everything. Guess everyone had better learn how to flip hamburgers then.
Losing the manufacturing was probably inevitable; what has magnified this problem are the costs of maintaining a permanent (and growing) underclass on the backs of a dwindling number of taxpayers. With no profit motive/incentive, there is no reason to work (or vote for policies that would enable one to do so).
Trades people were shafted by immigration policies that gave much of their work to illegal aliens; they will work in skilled capacities even if they don’t have the skills, learning on the job (mistakes be damned).