I totally disagree with those that state that kids are lazy due their upbringing. In my opinion, you are not seeing the intelligent and motivated kids that are out there. In other words, you are picking groundies essentially from the dregs. Any motivated kid, with any intelligence isn't going to be slaving away as a groundie for $8-10-12/hr. They will be at college or university or trade school.
We create our own problem. If you want talented people, you need to pay (wages and perks) that compete with the places where those talented/motivated people go out of school.
As an example, my daughter has just graduated from university. Was very motivated, paid her own way with scholarships/part time jobs, was a student leader, member of the university senate yada yada yada (Daddy's got to brag once in a while). As a filler job until her internship comes up, she goes to work for the local provincial representative. She makes the same as me and all she does is answer phones and write responses to constituent letters. Her friend, a social work grad, is getting $25/hr right out of school, to start as a social worker, plus all the perks as a gov't employee. The fact they can't physically do the job is irrelevant, as there are many strong fit kids in the same situation.
I think the other factor to consider is the competition you are getting from the military. How many potential tree workers are going to the military due to their massive recruiting drive?
To my way of thinking employees are like customers. If you want a better class of customer, you move into neighbourhoods where they exist. If you want a better class of employee, you seek out that cohort that fits the need.
