"If I have a low level, quasi hardware layer service that I need coded in C or C++? Fine, yes, experience matters. It matters a lot in those instances, and I'd be foolish to hire some kid to do that. But there is less and less of that kind of work. "

You know, that could be. Dunno why you got the downvote so here's an up.

Offshoring of manufacture probably has something to do with the dearth of work. Development was bound to follow mass production.