Mike, I share your viewpoint. I worked for many years in the electric power industry, and on several EPC (engineer, procure, construct) projects in different parts of the country. One of the biggest problems facing us is the "graying of the construction industry" - the experienced skilled workers in all of the trades are nearing retirement, and there's no influx of young blood following them, learning the tricks of the trade. Part of it is the blue collar/white collar bias, but even more is the "I want it now" attitude of a lot of the younger generation. They are not willing to work for a few years as a helper or apprentice to the master craftsman - they want the master craftsman pay starting out. Qualified welders is a particular shortage. We had more than one job where we advertised for, and brought in ASME welders from the Phillipines for six months to a year because we could not hire them locally, even paying travel - they simply were not there, or were already tied up on other jobs. We even set up a "welding school" on site to get guys/gals qualified in a fast track training program, and could not get enough interest to fill the needs. And before someone jumps me about it, those Phillipine welders were getting the same pay as everyone else, plus their per diem and travel - not a case of shifting jobs OUS for savings. We spent many, many dollars extra simply to stay on schedule. Somehow we need to re-educate our kids on the value of an honest days work for honest days wage, and that it's OK (or more than OK) to get your hands dirty.