While they are in demand, it wanes/self corrects as all the subcontractors start their own gigs, overpopulate, and contact back to a few providers. The road to financial success in them is also long and brutal. If the economy tanks, there will also be a lot of trades people out of work due to the lack of new construction. I'm assuming that would impact apprenticeships too.
Eh... trades are overrated. They're hard, the people typically suck to be around, and they're volatile. A lot of people making good money in trades are on a grind, 60-80 hours of work a week. Sure, you could do that, but it's still a grind.
There's plenty of low effort stable jobs available, and being a programmer can be one of them. There's companies out the wazoo who just need a mediocre programmer to work ~40 hours a week. But you could also be a clinical pharmacist, or an accountant, or a supply chain manager.
This is generally my take as well. I have a few friends who switched into the trades and realized that in modern times, cheap foreign labor and PE has done a number on the trades. Many of them also lamented that although their bosses were good - many ppl in the trades still treat coworkers like garbage and engage in blue collar hazing. It's not everyone but I just have no patience for that stuff.
If I was starting today, rather than an electrical engineering degree, I'd choose a trade: probably electrician, or plumber.
I know a few kids working for themselves in these trades and they are in unceasing demand.