Vocational schools are stigmatized because they're generally shitty. If they pumped out out top-quality vocational grads -- mechanics, metal tooling, plumbing,

Vocational schools are stigmatized because they're generally shitty. If they pumped out out top-quality vocational grads -- mechanics, metal tooling, plumbing, construction, etc. -- people would be far less inclined to lump them all in together. There would be good and bad, just like the varying quality of state universities.