[shorty_harris]

We need machinists, nurses, and other skilled/technical disciplines more than college graduates. The workforce is overpopulated with college graduates with little to no skills

Exactly! I don't have a college degree, but I have technical skills that are in high demand (at least for now!). I have more work than I can handle through my part-time consulting business. Of course, I'm fairly literate, can communicate pretty effectively, and most importantly, I can sell myself.

[downwdims]

Selling yourself is the key thing. Seriously. This is what I know, this is what I can do for you, this is how I can make money for you

[Hardastarboard]

most importantly, I can sell myself

That statement alone tells me that you have good business sense and would be a good hire, if I were talking to you about a job. You understand business priorities, and the importance of selling. Kudos to you.

[Lexinom]

College graduation is a statistical probability metric, not an absolute black/white indicator of ability. There are dumb college graduates, as there are geniuses who do not finish college. The importance of college diminishes as the total proportion of work experience overwhelms academic experience.

One guideline I've seen approximates three years of work experience to one year in college (at least in certain technical fields), e.g. someone with a dozen years of work experience is equivalent to someone with a BS degree. It is only a guideline. The SINGLE BIGGEST LIMITATIONS are those we place on ourselves. It sounds like you have zero issues with self-confidence and have the intellect to back that up, so you will do well.