X = y squared + 4 is NOT the reason jobs are getting outsourced. Essential math skills can be taught in a few weeks. It ain't rocket science. I've done it.

What isn't being taught is the need to show up on the job on time, on a regular basis; and to cooperate with your fellow workers (no cursing them out); and not rip off the company at every opportunity; 
and to be responsible for the children you create; and the economic advantages of not having a drug habit; and to not curse out your supervisor when he's trying to get you to do your assigned work.

Please, try an experiment. Make photocopies of 30 high school Algebra II questions and give them to your adult relatives (non-school teachers). Then see how many of them can pass it. The result will telll you much more about the relevance of algebra skills than it will about the essential math skills of your relatives.