Actually, I blame the education system. In some ways, I think the college/trade school education is much more realistic than the university-based system. Which is why, at least in Canada, we're finding a shift in federal funding away from universities & more towards trade colleges. At least the graduates of those come out w/directly relevant usable skills, usually b/c they've had some kind of coop workplace training as part of their degree. Nursing, building & electrical trades, landscapers, medical & dental technicians, counsellors & social workers, hospitality trades, etc. The university grads are often woefully ignorant of anything beyond theoretical knowledge, I find, with the exception of things like business & engineering. But they are required to do 2 years of apprentice work before taking their board exam. Others, like teachers, physicians, scientists, lawyers, are all required to get further education to learn the practical stuff.

I'm going to encourage my son to do a trade rather than a university degree if its relevant. Even tho he gets university free, I think he'll find it more useful.

End of rant.