For twenty years, the message to young people was consistent: get a four-year degree, or you're falling behind. Meanwhile, in Manufacturing and Construction, I'm watching the opposite problem play out in real time. Companies are desperate for skilled welders, machinists, electricians, and project superintendents — and there simply aren't enough people coming up through the trades to fill those roles. This is the skilled trades shortage gap, and it's reshaping how smart compa