Service based skilled trades are a great choice.
In Ontario, a plumber makes nearly the same as someone in the finance industry.
http://www.workingincanada.gc.ca/rep...2&action=final
http://www.workingincanada.gc.ca/rep...2&action=final
However, manufacturing cannot thrive in the west in the same conditions.
How can you compete, when Asian workers work for cheaper, and actually hugely overqualified, are extremely dedicated, and is much more grateful for the same benefits and opportunities than the average American?
10$/hour is the minimum wage where I live, that is how much you pay the most mundane employees who barely have to think on the job, with no "complicated" responsibilities, and no experience. For 10 usd in China, I can find 2 university grads with 5+ years of work experience (workers are often hugely overqualified in Asia), and they will be extremely thankful if the same opportunities and working conditions that a "standard" job in the west are provided.