there were vocational schools with guranteed positions in state-owned companies. I went to one (via back-door) and got a position in one of the most technically advanced companies (by then) upon graduation. My work place was air-conditioned in 1975/76 and I could practice English with my foreign co-workers sitting in the same room.
But I still think I would have done much better had I have the opportunity going to high school.
