"Rather go to a junior college than CC, or get a trade as a plumber than do that crap. "
If you would really consider it, plumbing can be a VERY good trade. There is always huge demand for good quality, reliable plumbers, if you have any management skills at all you can build your own company with other plumbers working for you. The work can’t be offshored and demand will only continue to grow. I wouldn’t mind one bit if one of my kids went into plumbing.
Welding is another trade that is in high demand - especially some of the specialty welding techniques. It pays more than plumbing but in some geographic areas the demand can rise and fall depending on the underlying economy, so I suspect it’s not as stable an income as plumbing, In tough economic times, people can delay certain projects so might not need welding, but no matter how hard times get, the need for plumbing is fairly constant as long as you’re willing to work on projects other than new construction.