Personally, I started as an unskilled laborer, then over the years worked skilled and unskilled positions, often with no formal education in the trade. In several cases I "morphed" from the laborer position into the entrepreneur position.
Unskilled lawnmower repairman - training took about 2 days. 1 summer
Unskilled used car lot attendant, also worked in the car wash & oil change shop. Training totalled 3 or 4 days. 1 summer
Unskilled chef in a steak house - 10 minutes of training on day 1. I worked 6 months until I paid for my dirt bike.
Unskilled tractor mower operator - zero training. Worked 3 months till I joined the Navy.
Unskilled U.S.Navy Aviation Ground Support Electrician - 90 days mechanical & electrical training, 30 days gas turbine school. 4 years total.
HVAC company (manager / technician) - ZERO training in operations/mgmt, nominal A/C cycle training from the Navy. 12 years total.
Skilled HVAC technician for local ISD - 2 years total.
Unskilled Personal Computer shop owner/ builder / technician - ZERO training. 13 years total.
Unskilled AutoCAD drafting / design tech, Energy Auditor - "On-The Job" training 2 weeks. 8 years total.
Unskilled Property Manager - ZERO training. 8 years total.
Unskilled Commercial Construction QC inspector - OJT training 1 day. 2-1/2 years total (company moved away)
Unskilled Commercial Construction Operations manager - OJT training 1 week. 2 years total (company closed)
Self-taught Motorcycle Rebuild & Restoration company - 13 years.
Also, I have employed unskilled and skilled labor in several small companies I started, or took over from my brothers.
HVAC company - 8 unskilled, 4 skilled over 12 years (took over family business, closed, then re-opened under a new name not incorporated)
Personal Computer company - 3 unskilled, 2 skilled over 13 years (incorporated with a partner, then closed and re-opened not incorporated)
Office services & rentals - 4 unskilled, 1 skilled over 6 years
Motorcycle rebuilds & restoration - 3 unskilled over 13 years
Light construction - 2 unskilled over 3 years
So, I think I have earned the "right to speak", (with significant knowledge in the general subject) having been on both sides of the employer/employee fence.