A year of college.
Then I was a vet tech back when they were just starting the degree program and could get the title if the vet you worked for verified you worked as a vet tech.
THeHusbandHalf had 2 years of college. However during his high school years, he worked various places learning woodworking, electric, plumbing, HVAC, concrete work, running big equipment - destined for blue collar work.
When I met him (and married) he was an inspector on the turnpike, then a longshoreman at the railroad's coal docks. Both things his experience were instrumental in him being hired. He also ran equipment for my Dad putting in drainage tile, mostly in farm fields.
He was laid off from the railroad, and one of the interim jobs (between the RR and his current), was driving a tanker truck. He had no official experience, but the guy doing the interview gave him the chance to try to get his CDL, and he did, first try. He loved that job, but when the oil refinery was hiring, he applied there, for the $, a better union, and the opportunities to advance.
3000 people applied for 20 positions, and at the time, 4 had to go to women, 4 to minorities, 4 to veterans (I THINK on that last one) Later, one of the interviewers told him he was their top pick. If you knew him, he just interviews so well. He reminds me of Robert Mueller, just knows his stuff.
It is a union position, and he dedicated himself to learning that whole refinery. About 15 years ago, he bid a control room job, and will retire from there in January. It is a higher paying employer, for this area, and a respected company to work for.
When he applied, there were various interviews, and 'tests' to be taken, mostly to show the applicants' understanding of things they would have to get a deeper understanding, in the year long training program.
Now the applicants have to do the same except there is an additional requirement to apply. Used to be, college wasn't even mentioned, but about 7 years ago, a college degree started being required. Any degree, I guess it just shows the applicant's willingness to stay with something.
It is THH's legacy that they now require 'a college degree or military experience' to even apply. He was instrumental in making them realize that time in the military was valuable. (It just lets them apply, they have to prove themselves in the rest of the interviewing process.) There are now several ex-Navy nuclear propulsion employees, our son was one.
I know all of that is so much more than you asked, but I wanted to show that a blue collar position does not have to restrict someone