1) Carpentry is an excellent example. Journeymen carpenters definitely have some education, but it is education based on experience. What kind of wood to use/avoid in a particular climate for something outside, for example. Which saw blade to use when cutting certain trim pieces. You don't have to go to university for that kind of knowledge.

The guys who design the houses, decks, etc. do need to go to university. That is where you learn statics, dynamics, etc. It is also where you will take the EIT (engineer in training) test, which starts you on the road to taking the PE (professional engineer) license after you have the requisite experience.

The PE puts a stamp on those plans, making them legally liable that the deck won't collapse if built and used in the way designed. Or the frame of the house. Or a trestle bridge.

2) The US understood this from the late 1800 till after WWII. We had the best educated working class, which is a huge advantage for regular workers, and democracy.

If your regular worker understands the basics of math and science, they will make better decisions when trying to lever something that is stuck (for example), and not injure themselves and/or destroy additional equipment.

If your regular workforce understands Civics (something I was taught in the 80s but is no longer taught at the High School I went to), they will at least know the three branches of government and how they ostensibly work for and against each other. This helps them make better analysis of politicians and better voting decisions based on their own political desires.

Your examples of education do not refute my claim, but actually support it. My point is that everyone should be educated, not just the wealthy. Educated people put more emphasis on education than the non-educated, on average.