I got in on the tail end of high schools being gutted around here, went to the college for Machine Tool Technologies-Manual machine tools. Had great instructors, all retired machinists with 40 plus years experience. Learned many forgotten tricks of the trade from them.
After looking for 4 years, was able to get in as a CNC button pusher. Six months later, with no crashes and a scrap rate of 0%, they let me start doing setups and program editing. Saved their asses on a couple of jobs, remembering little tricks from my instructors. Like putting electrical tape inside 17-4 valve castings that had been cast too big for the job's fixture in the machine. Or grinding an existing tool bit to fit a new job.
We won't need the unions this time around. If the papered smarties want parts, or electricity, or running water, or shite-free houses, etc., then they will pay what we demand.