I heard college enrollment in the US has dropped for the 11th year in a row.
I wonder if the leaping costs, or people discovering they won't be ostracized by their peers if their kid doesn't go.
Maybe they have discovered the return on investment isn't what it was cracked up to be. Spending a fortune and/or going deep in debt then an office job at $40k is not a good investment.
As long as I can remember getting into an apprentice program for the building trades was the bulls ass at flytime.
Common to accept 6 a year from 600 applicants. But the result is now you can't find a plumber, electrician, etc, under 45. I recently read we need something like 75,000 new electricians over the next 12 years. It's not unusual for them to make over $100k.

Why are test scores going down?  So much learning on-line.  We know comprehension drops by about 10% when obtained on-line.  Only do not know why.

My text books in 1970 cost something approaching $100 each.  Calculator was $300.  Numbers says price of college materials has gone down.

Unfortunately the left and right promoted easy college loans.  That meant tuition skyrocketed.  Then a student is left paying a massive debt for the next 10 or 20 years.  Trying to fix anything only by throwing money at it is a classic lie promoted by both left and right extremists.

A problem is finding new construction workers.  Since so many twenty somethings do not know how to use a hammer or screwdriver.  Those older tradesmen also have trouble finding kids who want to do the work.  Once they learn they may get dirty on the job, many refuse to take that job.  Sitting at a desk watchnig a glownig screen is considered more productive.  Getting dirty is for low class immigrants.

And then hate means we do not issue enough visas - a severe shortage of immigrants.
 

Last edited by tw (11/25/2022 9:41 am)

Undertoad wrote:

My text books in 1970 cost something approaching $100 each

lol no they did not

Why not?  Mine in 1988 were approaching the equivalent of $200

College, we don't need no stinkin' college...


That guy at the top of the list has been a lifeguard for 30 years.
 

There actually is a big lifeguard shortage.Largely covid-related.

The Coast Guard Rules. 

The Coast Guard protects our beach bunnies and their natural habitat from all enemies foreign and domestic.

I think it's in their oath.

Mr. S.E. Xobon.

♫ Mamas don't let your babies grow up to be paupers...


 

Maybe not Billionaires but wealthy, like millionaires, then with inside information make their money grow like Topsy.