<p>When I was growing up, we had plenty of vocational options in school, but it was very expensive to run vocational education to keep up with the times. We had carpentry, mechanics and welding. Well, that produced a glut in our area. Mechanics became too expensive when the computer diagnostics came to be. In the area where I currently live several schools combine for vocational education, but we have similar results.
The good union jobs require knowing someone, and getting an apprenticeship for electrician or plumber is very difficult.
Now, to pay for this in the high school area means reducing the AP classes, cutting enrichment courses, etc. and since every parent wants their child to go to college, there is no way that will happen.</p>