Inkscape could benefit from a similar approach, but it surely needs a lot of thinking first. My humble opinion is that beginner vs. advanced profiles won't work because one can be quite advanced in some areas (eg node editing) and beginning in others (eg. color management). Furthermore, a beginner and an advanced users essentially have the same goals, it's just that the beginner does not know how to achieve them and restraining them in a limited or a less accessible functionality mode won't help them. In addition, as someone already mentioned: how can one know when he is ready to switch to advanced mode?

On the contrary, CAD/technical, diagramming, GIS, artistic, child modes could be very efficient in exposing only the "right" features to the user or exposing the same features differently. Indeed, depending on which kind of work you do, your _goal_ is different and the application can help you achieve it.