Don't know if this is still valid...
In the late 60's early 70's, GM had apprenticeship programs.You worked for a dealer at lower rate (depends on the situation) and went to GM training center one day a week. I got into it sort of accidentally; the old man who ran the body shop took a liking to me and felt I did good work, so he took me under his wing and one thing led to another.I was expecting to be drafted so I was living a day at a time anyway. Turns out that being in a GM program is "essential for the defense of the country" so I got the same (possibly better) deferment as the college guys. I didn't end up going to Case until I was 30. Had fun doing body work and painting for a while.
Point is: we DID have a mechanism for building trades. Don't know if it's still intact though.
Point is: we DID have a mechanism for building trades. Don't know if it's still intact though.