[TSgt]

The ability to learn and to communicate (both written and orally) are also key skills which never go out of fashion.

Spot on!

I never cease to be amazed at how many highly intelligent people I meet who have poor verbal and written communication skills.

[CodeToad]

“I never cease to be amazed at how many highly intelligent people I meet who have poor verbal and written communication skills. “

The majority of them have college degrees, which negates your point that college is somehow a minimum entry qualification. Illiteracy of college graduates is a major reason I do not even bother to look at college degrees when considering candidates.