The trades are not "struggling". They have the same administrative incompetence issue as uni's. Unions in the long term destroyed your ability to work in a trade by requiring indentured servitude to get your certificate. The one you need to pull any kind of permit or do basic work.

Government and unions have intentionally choked the life out of trades by ensuring very few can get into it. It's a club, and you ain't in it.

The solution is effective - nullify duration requirements, replace with in person testing.