Australia is in a similar boat.
To keep things short as I am on my lunch break:
- Need at least a year 12 education now to be even given a trade traineeship. About 10-15 years ago could do it after year 10
- Anyone who hasn't been luck y to recieve a traineeship, must go to get a degree at a UNI, or equivalent certificate at a TAFE college, otherwise all they will do is flip burgers and be checkout chicks.
- Cost of living in Australia has driven people to get an education.
- Labor jobs in manufacturing are not cost effecitve, hence a HUGE shift to china etc.. Very few manufacturers still around. Only wya tobeomce competitive is to provide governemnt incentives and stop free trade (as this is killing local business).
CONCLUSION; Developing countries sadly apart from trades required to keep the society functioning (ie plumbers, builders, electricians etc..) must adapt to a white collar environment.
