The society as a whole focuses more on getting a college education, as opposed to learning a skilled trade. The trades are a excellent way to establish a career and earn a great income as well. There just aren't enough people willing to get their hands dirty so to speak. Most are inclined to rather sit behind a cubicle and wear a suit I guess. Not to mention, the debt they incur and have to pay back for that degree, and some wind up settling for a job, that has nothing to do with the degree they went to school for in the first place.