Valuetainment "Taxpayers Are Funding Useless Degrees" - Will America’s Labor CRISIS Force An Education REVOLUTION?
Nov 21, 2025
The crew tackles Ford's struggle to fill 5,000 mechanic jobs, questioning whether it’s a labor shortage or a wage issue. They delve into the decline of international students, discussing how visa policies affect the economy. The panel argues for trade schools over mass college enrollment, examining if degrees truly enhance productivity. There's also a call to realign student loans to support STEM fields, suggesting federal incentives could bridge the skills gap. The discussion culminates in a bold vision for a transformative education system.
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Skilled Trades Have Long Training Horizons
- Ford reports 5,000 mechanic openings at about $120k but cannot fill them, highlighting skilled-trades scarcity.
- The gap reflects long training horizons and mismatched incentives, not just headcount needs.
Fewer Foreign Students Shrinks University Income
- New international student enrollments fell sharply, reducing tuition revenue and intangible innovation benefits.
- Tough visa policies have measurable macroeconomic and campus impacts.
Raise Pay To Match Training Costs
- Pay market rates to attract people into roles that require expensive up-front training.
- If $120k fails, raise wages until the labor market responds.