The tradesmen meme is a lie.

Ppl propogate it bc they think it'll turn men into 'blokey blokes' and stop them doing 'useless degrees' but taking from someone who's done both it's no paradise.

Yes, trades can be well paid but work can be scarce. I knew a young bricklayer...

....who was out of work, literally on the dole, for 3-4 years. Does the high wage make up for the losses, I'm not sure. So this 'we'll always need plumbers' stuff is just a meme.

You also have to know the right ppl. It's ok doing an apprenticeship for £5 an hour but if the...

....bloke sacks you after 2 years what are you going to do?

It's a myth originating in working class nostaglia for the 50s and 60s when their was a labour shortage and a Labour government.