This is a great idea. How about this: After high school, you do 2 years of civil service. Then you go to college for free. After that, you do 2-4 more years of civil service, depending on how much school you do.
In the first 2 years, you grow up a bit, experience the real world, and earn a paycheck.
Next you go to college. Get a good liberal arts core and a major in your area of interest. Then spend a couple of years putting that learning to use and developing your skills.
I always said this is the answer for offering free education. Get a job after you’re done with school and then get a few years of real world experience. Then companies get people with training and experience right out the gate