CAN'T CARRY WATER FOR A PATTERNMAKER. No matter how many times I explain this, somebody screws it up.

Businesses and unions face the challenge of "overcoming the perception that blue-collar trades offer less status, money and chance for advancement than white-collar jobs, and that college is the best investment for everyone."

Showing its business aspect, an IBEW local has produced a YouTube video that encourages young people to consider electrical apprenticeship rather than college. Pretty good advice.

Let's take a closer look at the source.

Since January, the U.S. has lost 463,000 jobs. Residential construction and manufacturers that rely primarily on the U.S. market have been hit especially hard.

But the energy industry is hard up for workers who, among other things, can make precision welds, fit pipes for pipelines and oil refineries, and understand the complex electrical wiring in modern power plants. Though the weak housing market has idled many workers who did similar jobs for home builders, their skills often aren't sharp enough to make the cut.

Something tells me the corner-cutters and excuse-mongers that provide Rate Your Students material will be dangerous to themselves and anyone else nearby in any work that involves power tools or electricity or large engines. Heck, a lot of honor students and professors are dangerous to themselves in such situations.