What's very hard to find, even in this recession is someone that shows up on time, doesn't drink, do drugs, litter, smoke inside, lie, cheat, or steal. Showing up on time seems to be a key trait of someone good. It's true: eighty percent of success is just showing up.
High schools and colleges (maybe society) pump up young kids to be executive management when they graduate. They teach them that manual labor is beneath them.
Learn a trade, then get a degree.