Plus, people tend to go straight to "plumber" when they want to give an example of a high-paying job that can be achieved through hard work and on-the-job-training. It's ALWAYS the example. Even if we all buy into the trade-school or vocational concept, our kids can't ALL go out and become plumbers. Other jobs in this same category -- electrician, auto mechanic, etc. -- pay better than low-skill jobs like cashier or waitress, but they will not equal that golden example, the plumber.Vocational training is great for those who have the aptitude and desire. I would not mind saying "my daughter, the plumber" but my girls have no desire to go that way. They are very academic in their orientation. I am not sure if college will be a good FINANCIAL investment for my children (DDs are 19 and 13), but I can guarantee that I will not consider it a waste of money.
Like your daughter, mine are both very academic and I'm sure college is in their future; however, if they were interested in something vocational, I would push them to learn the trade . . . AND ALSO to learn something about business. The guy who starts out as an electrician's helper and moves up to master electrician -- he'll do okay for himself. But the guy who starts his own business as an electrician, who eventually owns a small fleet of vans, each staffed with that master electrician and his helper -- that's the guy who's making more than most college grads. And as he ages, he isn't out there doing the manual labor himself; rather, he's in the office taking orders, managing his crews, and making money from each and every one of his trucks. If my girls weren't college-bound, I'd encourage them in that direction. No, not specifically electrician, but owning a service business.