So then why do we have formal education at all?

To create workers for the industrial revolution.

no, we have formal education because not everyone is an autodidact and may need actual help in evaluating and learning skills.

Many skills are not like computer programming. You're not learning physical therapy from coursera, or even something like human resources; some things you need others for to mentor, correct, guide, or provide facilities for.

No, he is right. Employers demand cookie cutter education and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that if everyone gets their cookie cutter education, earns money and then pays for their kids liberal arts education. We are at a point where everyone gets access to college but not everyone can actually support themselves. This is why the first generation of students has to maximize economic gains above everything else. Once the economy is doing well your kids will be able to pursue their dreams, or you can just go back to college yourself.

Apprenticeship is the historical way to accomplish this.

Formal education predates the industrial revolution.

Not for the masses.