My view is that most programming work is more of a skilled trade, like being an electrician or plumber, rather than a profession, like law or civil engineering.

My view is that most programming work is more of a skilled trade, like being an electrician or plumber, rather than a profession, like law or civil engineering. Doing something useful doesn't take a whole lot of formal education, doing clean good work requires lots of experience plus good teaching in industry best practices, and there are a lot of opportunities for self-employment.