Yep.... I have heard and seen the same thing with contractors.
My nephew started up a successful electrical contracting business. His staffing shortage extends into journeyman level. It’s way too infrequent that he gets a hardworking, reliable and ambitious apprentice or journeyman. When he does, he treats them like gold and mentors them to higher electrician trade levels. Good and steady performance gets nice $$$. Masters license gets damn good $$$ and contractors license hits jackpot $$$.
Is your nephew Upstate New York? I know a kid graduating high school with 2 years of BOCES in electrical classes looking to become an electrician. He’s a farm boy and knows how to work. We don’t have a clue to find out he gets to be an apprentice. Any advice would be helpful.
My father has been using the same plumbing outfit for 40 years. Seven years ago when I first started handling things for him the plumbing teams were one of the experienced guys and a younger Angelo guy. In the past 3 years the younger guys have all been Mexicans.