Depending on what the skills are. One of the best engineers I ever worked with, truly a Unicorn - was self-taught. Taught me programming, we did some patent work together. Fred was truly a once in a lifetime intellect, and I'm 40 years into R&D as a career

In STEM, the degree matters, because you are paid well, and before I invest $100+k, the degree means you aren't a quitter, and you have demonstrated that you have "learned to learn", because no degree prepares you for a specific job. In R&D type engineering, you start broad base, and quickly dive into very specific areas of the discipline. The GPA doesn't matter as much, as some say - at least to me. I'm looking for experience and ability to communicate.

Playing well with others is key, integrity is key, brutal honesty - but wisdom in how to present data, how to learn to trust and be trusted. Because getting it wrong, means people will likely die. Degrees matter in some areas.