[Barrin92]

>life that really is that simple.

It definitely isn't. Here in Germany I could redirect you to a dozen small businesses in the trades I personally know that are starved for young people and that pay better than a decent chunk of degrees, but vocational and blue collar work even here, and this is in my experience even more common in the Anglosphere, is just deemed unattractive by a significant chunk of the workforce.

It's so bad that I know a handful of people who'd even pass the business on because their own kids didn't want to stay in the trades but go to uni.

[Sevii]

Paying better than a decent chunk of degrees isn't enough to be competitive. What are the working conditions? Is it inside with AC at a desk? Is it 8 hours a day 5 days a week? If it's not you have to factor that into total comp. Is your job still competitive with a decent chunk of degrees when you factor in an extra 20k for working conditions?

Trades people like to compare total comp but never talk about working conditions, upward mobility, how much they drive or whether their employer provides their tools.