Vocational high schools work with area companies through an ICE (Industrial Cooperative Education) program, as the trade unions need immediately employable high school graduates. A full one half of the school day for juniors and seniors is devoted to either your "shop" studies (sorry etaoin) or on-the-job apprentice training. These weren't college prepatory at all as the ciriculum became skeletal (even if everyone had to take drafting).

There were plenty of 'good paying' jobs as an electrician, Heating/AC, auto mechanic, auto body, carpenter, metal worker/machine shop, etc... in the neighborhood. I was lucky to have 'Music' as my shop (the last years they did that). This was before the days of hiring a DJ for your wedding.