They come from a tradition that allows them to be more comfortable with tracking than are we. They value their traditions and stability. The German apprenticeship system is also pervasive. All business and self-employed person are required to help pay for administering it. This is important because the plan will not work if only a few businesses assumed the cost while others exploited the system.
German laws require apprenticeships in many fields, and businesses cooperate to enforce the system.
The German system will work in the United States only if enough businesses participate. This would be most effective if done nationwide. It is not clear if a single state such as Oregon could replicate the German system. We have a mobile workforce and national or international companies. If each state has a different training program, with different standards, that could present a problem as workers move from one state to another.