Just ask the kids what they want to do.

If they are not good students, trade school is probably a good fit.

But the overriding issue is WHAT DO THE KIDS WANT TO DO.

my husband wasn’t the worlds best student, but he didn’t want to go to dental school or join the IBEW, his father’s choices.

He went in a totally different direction, and is now a high level manager in his field, with a great pension vested (he’s 60), but for years had to listen to his dad gripe about how he could have had a good position as an electrician. Husband is a respected professional and has met/worked with a number of high ranking politicians and a few presidents.

The point is, don’t make kids do what YOU want, no matter how practical it seems.