Totally agree Richard.
Bruce, I put a large part of the blame on the companies for their predicament.
I'm not going to get into my life story but I entered the workforce later in life. Graduated Tech school with three AAS degrees at the age of 44 with a gpa of 4.0, which I realize really doesn't mean anything.
Anyways, I would have gladly paid a company the amount I paid for tuition for training then a contract or some kind of agreement that I would be offered a position with them. There would be an interview process like applying for a real job. Personally I would have done that in a heartbeat.
I'll move tomorrow if you can get me a job in the toolroom @ GM. I can guarantee total dedication to the trade but in the end I'm 48 years old and that imo is a deal breaker. I'm in a job now that I really don't enjoy and see myself stuck there until I retire.
Sorry for the hijack but I'm sure the OP got his responses he needed.