The other is a dual education system of apprenticeship for Craftsman/manual work. For three years You go to school two to three days a week and work at a real craft business. That way you get the theory and it's practical application. After your exam you are a certified handy man in your profession with the relevant skills to work professionally. This solves the mentioned ambiguity of real work.
University education was associated with staying in higher education or R&D. But the creation of vast PhD programs had created a wave of PhD that cannot be absorbed by the University and research institutions. So it bleeds into "normal" work life.
The software profession would benefit from a dual apprenticeship system. But company's are not willing to take on the responsibility and train their talent that way. At least not in Germany.