I work for a construction company and there are several companies just like mine. We have several workers that have criminal records, some are still on parole. But some of them are our best hands, and as long as they can past a drug test on a regular basis, and work hard they can make a pretty good living. We have a bunch that have no high school diploma. But I will be the first to say that we have SOME hard working, good folks and they make more than most recent college grads.

But the main problem is most of the unskilled work force wants a check, not a job. Very few still have pride in their work and will take the initiative to learn a trade or skill.