in germany the apprenticeship system is very advanced and you can apprentice your way to a bachelor's equivalent with further study to a master's equivalent. that's how most trades work here. apprentices do part time studying at a trade school and part time working the trade over multiple years simultaneously, with exams issued by the school and for example a chamber of industry. it's very effective at turning students into effective workers, and if you find the right job you've got good prospects for a lifelong career, but obviously it does not teach you to doubt the system. of course there are also usually no "unnecessary" courses that would take away from an apprentice's focus. i think it's a decent balance, and you can always educate yourself on the state of the world in your free time.