The article implies that college magically gives you skills that make you a successful plumber. I argue that getting into (and out of) college means that you ha

The article implies that college magically gives you skills that make you a successful plumber. I argue that getting into (and out of) college means that you have the basic academic skills to be a successful plumber. Those aren't the same arguments. Plumbing isn't just unclogging toilets. You need to be capable of measuring, computing distances, reading manuals for boilers and pumps, etc. Not rocket science, but beyond the capabilities of 40-60% of the graduates of many high schools. In my mind, the problem is that 30 years ago, a high school degree was sufficient to assume that you can perform basic skills (skills that most successful programmers probably can demonstrate around age 12). Is long division archaic in the age of the smartphone? Perhaps -- I've found it to be a fantastic screening device for high school interns. Print out a few Amtrak Northeast Corridor train schedules and ask questions about getting between various points between various points as a second level screen.