A compounding issue is that not all kids are made for higher ed. Some just don't have the aptitude, but the conduit towards vocational schools isn't there as it probably was long ago (we don't have the hauptschule/gymnasium system).
Unfortunately, such a system in the US would quickly run into trouble as schools would quickly get accused of funneling 'good' students one way and 'bad' students the other way and there would be accusations of unconscious bias of one type or another.
So we only have the "go to college/university" recommendation, for everyone, even students who clearly don't have the aptitude and would do better in a vocational school.
Unfortunately, such a system in the US would quickly run into trouble as schools would quickly get accused of funneling 'good' students one way and 'bad' students the other way and there would be accusations of unconscious bias of one type or another.
So we only have the "go to college/university" recommendation, for everyone, even students who clearly don't have the aptitude and would do better in a vocational school.