How important is a degree in education?

In order to be successful in life one must have a marketable skill. Sometimes you can get this by learning on the job or going to technical school but the best place, in my opinion, to ensure a good future for yourself is in college. Not everyone is cut out for college though so I never judge anyone who chooses a different route. As long as someone has goals and a willingness to work hard, they can tak whatever path suits them best but expecting a good job to just fall into your lap after high school is unrealistic.

School dropouts are caused by many factors such as financial,parental or simply behavioral. Though it is true that not everybody who has a degree becomes successful, at least they have a chance to compete rather than being disqualified right at the start for not having the basic requirement.

I know that you can be a skillful person without holding a degree. But, soetimes, people need proof of your skill. I think that the only thing that can be a proof of your skill is a degree. So, if you are skillful but you don't have the degree, how can you proof to other people that you have skill?