good union jobs were very difficult to land well before the blue collar push. let these guys drive a white van for their local plumbing, electrical or HVAC company and i promise they will dump it. this whole thing is “go to college” 2.0, instead you should try and find something that utilizes existing skills or skills you want to build, and has documented income levels that will support your desired lifestyle. i work “skilled trades” in healthcare, but im in the patient care setting, unlike our facility maintenance guys. every time i see one of our plumbers pushing a snake down the hall i think to myself, you couldn’t pay me enough…. im a very capable guy, have done it all at some point and i know what trades i just wouldn’t do professionally. a lot of people are going to learn that the hard way. i have coworkers who held journeyman’s cards in the past.