“Paying one’s dues” has a very different connotation to me than “Learning a skill.” The former suggests a tenure-based system of seniority and pay scales, rather than a meritocratic system based on skill level and actual output.

To me it just says you'll make less for a period while learning the ropes. I suppose there are situations where you need to be spending the time to empty the trashcans but I don't take it that way.

Skilled trades are physical, not software. They're not simulations. Iterations and experience require actual time.

Call it whatever you will, but you're only getting the experience by spending a large amount of time and cycles.

Signed, son of a carpenter than did 30+ years and then taught it to underprivileged youth.