Are we neglecting practical intelligence?

All over the world governments are striving to raise the education level of their population. But almost all efforts seems to go towards theoretical and scientific education.

There is a tendency to look down on manual work which is highly needed in all societies to build new houses, roads and bridges, to keep existing houses in shape, to ensure the flow of water, electricity and information, to cook our food and so on.

But in fact the most needed labour skills globally are:

2008 Hot Jobs
    1.  Skilled Manual Trades
    2.  Sales Representatives
    3.  Technicians
    4.  Engineers
    5.  Management/Executives
    6.  Laborers
    7.  Administrative Assistants / PAs
    8.  Drivers
    9.  Accounting & Finance staff
    10. IT Staff
Source: Manpower

Many of them require more practical than theoretical skills. And even the best engineers have both strong theoretical and practical skills.

I think we should accept that not all people are theoretically inclined, some may be more skiled with their hands and that should be an accpetable career choice.

More of Gardners Multiple intelligences and less of traditional IQ tests.