I don't think so, plumbers, bricklayers etc. are not the ones putting fundamental scientific achievements into practice. That's engineers and other scientists.

I don't think so, plumbers, bricklayers etc. are not the ones putting fundamental scientific achievements into practice. That's engineers and other scientists. That doesn't mean the German system of separating vocational training and university training is not useful. However it does actually the opposite of what the original post hypothized, it separates vocational training from universities. Unlike in many other countries, universities in Germany do not do vocational training in general.