If every college & university program were an apprenticeship there would be no question about what they want, who, and how many. If there wasn't at least one job available, the college or university program wouldn't exist. The way it is now, for some career paths we've got 1 job for every 100 graduates. That's a waste of everyone's time. HR departments are being buried under piles of applications from people who may, or may not, be qualified. It is a 'best guess' situation for everyone, and often they are wrong. Making apprenticeships the rule upon graduation from high school would streamline this system and save years of everyone's life.