By my assumptions, there are strong indications already that we are moving past an era where employers put educational qualifications at the fore front of their requirement for employment into certain positions, some employers now hold personal qualities such as skills possessed by the individual ahead of the school they went to and the degree they graduated with. First, I would like to ask, could this be a reflection of a failing educational system? My second question is that if you happen to be the employer here, which will you consider more, school or skills?
Both school and skills are important, and if you posses both, you will have a greater chance of getting hired if you apply for a job because you will feel more confident about yourself when you go to an interview. This brings us back to your original question, if I'm to choose between school and skills, I will choose skills because of the experience I had in my first year after graduation. I applied for a job in road construction company and i was called for an interview, but I wasn't confidence in myself because I knew I was just excellent at the theoretical parts of it.
I did the calculations the interviewer asked me to do, and he asked me to relate my answers to the practical aspect. I was so confused and disappointed because I was unable to respond, and they told me that they needed someone who would add value to their company. The person who was hired didn't have the same level of education as me, but he has the experience more than me, so he has a chance to get the job. At that time, my qualifications were unhelpful, and I realized that skills is more important than school. That's from my own view.