One of the ways I try to sell my trade to students, is telling them how important it is for the world. Machining, welding, plumbing, carpentry and so on. All of it would be primus motor to get society back.
The thing about concrete in a situation like that, though, is it is relatively easy to make new material for construction. That lathe was designed specifically for people to make when they've got nothing else and get some actual decent accuracy.
Also, flip it on its end and you have a drill press to put that scrap together with.