Always remember that welding/fabrication can be outsourced to Malaysia......Well, I'm only in 11th grade, but my area's got a vocational skill center. And they got a welding program that is connected with the local apprenticeship school. Lots of bikes get welded, but so do boats, cars, farming equipment, buildings, etc.
Not to mention all the baby boomers retiring, leaving lots of openings while the high schools tell everybody else to go to collage.
As far as the economy, it seems no suit can get hired to work if there ain't no skyscrapers to work in, or spend any money on food if there ain't no farm equipment to cultivate it.