I remember when I had friends in high school who were in bands. There were some talented jazz musicians and they were getting gigs. One topic of discussion was getting a union card, which, if I understood correctly, wasn't so easy. I was discouraged from trying to go into a trade (which I would have liked to have done) because of the same problem. I have very mixed feelings about unions. At times, they have helped me, although I have never been a member of a union, but part of what they do is keep people out. I don't know why a high school or college kid can't just play a coffee house or a bar without hindrances. Maybe they could, I don't know. I wasn't in the position to find out.