It's not only welding. This trend goes on everywhere. I am in an odd age bracket of 22-25 I started welding and wrenching professionally when I was 16 so I have 8 years experience. I have seen so many guys come and go. No one wants to labor whether they are a welder, carpenter, bricklayer and so on. There is a overwhelming attitude of entitlement in the workplace nowadays. I am currently working for a smaller shotcrete / iron worker outfit in a rural area outside Detroit. I have noticed the Workforce in this small town is better than when I lived in the city bit not by much. In my opinion the problem is to much had been given away for free.