On 13 Aug 2014 16:17:05 GMT, F.O.A.D. wrote:

wrote:
On Wed, 13 Aug 2014 10:00:58 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Wed, 13 Aug 2014 09:18:42 -0400, "Mr. Luddite"
wrote:

Meanwhile, unskilled jobs will continue to decline. Higher education
will continue to be a prime prerequisite for those jobs that exist even
in small businesses. The days of expecting middle class wages and
enjoying a middle class lifestyle with nothing more than a high school
diploma are over.



===

I understand your point and half agree with your conclusion. There's
no question that skills are the key to a good job and competetive
compensation but there will always be people who manage to acquire
those skills in non-traditional ways. Additionally, there are
certains skills that have almost always been acquired through on the
job training and hard work. I'm thinking specifically of contractors,
electricians, cabinet makers, finish carpenters, specialty welders,
small business owners, oil field workers, etc.

Harry is schizophrenic in this regard. On the one hand he touts
college for everyone and then he talks about how wonderful the
training is in the trade unions.

I tend to agree that some of the best job opportunities will lie in
the trades.

I know a lot of guys in skilled trades with four year college degrees.

===

There's nothing wrong with making a good living in the skilled trades
but I'd argue that they wasted a fair amount of time and money in
acquiring their 4 year degree. No doubt they are the better for it
it ways that can't be quantified or monetized but the return on
investment is just not there.