>>534249
>welding is a fantastic skilled trade and career path
Its not the average welder makes shit money. Welders aren't unionized so there labor is cheap and its also easy to pick up because of that. High schools have welding classes but not electrical, plumbing, or cnc machining classes. I'm sure some have the other ones but welding is by far the most common. Basically Americans hype it up because its cool to know and a lot of Americans know how to. Its also how welder cope with their shit pay
>hur dur the underwater welders make bank
Yes they do but that is an uncommon job and its absolutely a shit job. Its not uncommon for welders to have to live underwater in a small box called a diving bell with a bunch of other dudes. They are literally trapped underwater doing dangerous shit.