We do have an apprenticeship system in America as well, though it is a modern equivalent. Many trades uphold that system as a way of knowing someone has been properly trained. Interestingly enough, doctors and lawyers would have historically been the main ones likely to get a formal education at a university. They might have then spent time with a mentor who was also formally trained. It's the other trades that did not need that form of teaching.

The biggest difference is that modern apprenticeships are done by adults. Prior to child-labor laws and the requirement of school, apprenticeships often started around age 13 and lasted about 7 years. It wasn't just to teach the trade, but also all things needed to understand the business- math, writing/reading, and geography to name a few topics. I'm going through an informal apprenticeship myself, though not doing the paperwork means I won't get the title of Journeyman or Master eventually, that's not a concern for me.

It did not. It is still alive in Germany in a little bit different form. You can start as aprentince on a construction site when you are 16 and end up as Master (with an official document).

Almost all non university dependent jobs are ackuired this way in Germany. Most of the time you are half of the week at a school and half of the week in your company (which could be as small as just a Master and you or as something as big as Google/Aldi/...). Not always you can became a Master. This title is reserved for some industries only, but almost everyone can accept an apprentince (you just have to meet some standarts and have expierence in your job).