I think a great idea is to look into whatever the biggest industry or industries are in your area. For example, in Louisville, insurance of all kinds is one of their big industries, in Texas energy is one, in California it's IT, Detroit it's automotive, in Florida it's Tourism, and so on. I talked to a guy in TX a few years ago whose son was making over $115k/yr driving truck for one of the big oil companies from 9 to 5 every day, all he was doing was hauling metal pipes and pumps etc.. Most states that I know of have a choice of different industries to look into where one can make some really good income without any degree.
Within each of the bigger local industries, there are almost always great paying jobs that all one needs to do is learn via "on the job training." True one would usually start at the bottom, but within 4 or 5 years they should be making a nice income, after a few more years they'd be making even more, have a career they enjoy because they're good at it, and they did it without having to go in serious debt to get brainwashed at college.
This is a great idea for a young man who lives in a place that still has “industry” like Louisville. As for a daughter? Many places no longer have heavy industry, and that which do necessitates higher education to make a decent living. Take Florida’s tourism industry, or IT, or the restaurant business. Nobody except those on welfare support their families working at McDonalds or in an entry level IT job. Many of these people can be found living in welfare motels near Disney resorts or in worn out RVs parked illegally near Google headquarters. Right now, Louisville is one of the rare places that a man can find a decent job or work his way up into one, but he will probably need to live, 5-8 years at home before he’ll be ready to marry. Should an entire family move for this purpose? What about the parents, likely in their 50s? Will Dad be able to find work? Businesses just aren’t hiring 55 year olds. And if it’s a daughter who doesn’t marry or enter a convent? I don’t think most parents want her to drive a semi hauling pipes and heavy equipment, even if it does pay the bills!
I’m not arguing, just questioning. It seems to me that there really IS no one answer except to pray for each adult “child” to grow in holiness and acquire heroic fortitude in order to both survive in the world and save his soul.