What would make them more desirable - a college degree in some useless field, and tens of thousands in debt?
College is a very good choice for lots of people, and lots of degrees are very useful to society.
But there is a great need for good minds and hard workers in the various trades. And the remuneration and head-start on wealth is superior in many of the trade fields. (You don’t have to stop being a student just because you drive a truck - and there’s always time to go to college, and more money to do it if you’ve gotten yourself a real skill first.)
We will be able to live just fine without sociologists, women’s studies majors, and many others who come out of University with practically worthless degrees these days - but we won’t live long without electricians, plumbers, Truckers, farmers, etc.
I agree If I was 18 I would go into a trade as opposed to college, even with the skill to succeed in a STEM degree because STEM degrees and jobs are being distributed by quotas and not merit.