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I believe (and that's hardly an original observation) that some of the problems in the US trades based professions stem from their lack of non-academic credenti

I believe (and that's hardly an original observation) that some of the problems in the US trades based professions stem from their lack of non-academic credentials systems. In e.g. Germany or Switzerland, your pot smoking drill press operator could point to a four year apprenticeship, and possibly even advanced specializations beyond that, with hundreds of recognized professional tracks. In the US, professional skills seem to be acquired somewhat more randomly, and consequently, are less portable.

unholythree 4y ago
That's less true in union work or licensed trades; but of course lots of trades are only licensed in specific localities or the licensing is loosely enforced. There definitely is a emphasis in the U.S. on college being the "correct" path though. I recently saw a public charter school in my city advertise their entire graduating class was accepted into colleges. Clearly this was the best metric of success to them.