Pratchett, Stewart, and Cohen, in the Science of Discworld series, discuss this at some length. They call it 'extelligence': the ability to pass on knowledge between generations.

Apprenticeships - and guild apprentices in particular - pass on knowledge but specifically to a selected trade. There's an incentive not to let anyone who is a guild member know how you do things - be it how to tan leather, how to smelt iron, or how to build cathedrals.