Yes I'm sure there is, when I worked in education, admitedly a few years ago now, there were major regional variations, but even then the tide was changing towards design rather than practical skills and Boxford CNC machines were the new must have.
Agreed, and probably the fact that kids these days don't seem to want to go into anything remotely dirty or hard work has something to do with it 8-). Ever tried to get an electrician or plumber lately?, they can charge the earth and it's not exactly intellectually challenging, but kids are not going into the trades in any great numbers any more.
Greg