Don't discount the value of family connections, whether to family-run businesses or through friends. I turned down three jobs (two family firms and one using friends in the oil industry) because I did not feel I wanted a life beholden to that system.

Most of our productivity comes from what we learn at our jobs, especially when our jobs (as you say) include a good portion of "school". Helping your children land good jobs is a very good way of passing on skills.