Dan, I'm one of those walked into Typography firm in 1968 and knew nothing about type was taken aside and they taught me well; BUT I was more than willing to learn and spent 51/2 years doing nothing but learn and develop my work skills. Over the years I have hired some of those teachers when I moved into advertising. Never been unemployed.
I still keep in touch with the ones that have not passed. I will go visit one in Port hope in two weeks and spend a few hours with him and chat about type.