Yes, Adrian now lot of tech. companies are looking for people who can just learn new technologies like AI, IoT, Cyber Security etc and get into real work. Companies are tying up with the schools and colleges and providing the training to their students. Earlier we had Blue Collar and White Collar jobs, and now we have new term called "New Collar Jobs" where an individual does not need Graduation or Degree, they just need required tech. skill and expertise.
So, yes as you mentioned technical skills are very important and need of an hour to get a job.

Why not do both? I studied for my degree while in full-time employment.

Getting a technical skill is more worth while than a university title as most high income big tech companies are hiring base on the skill set that a person poses rather than what they have studied in their tertiary education! Most companies are seeking people who are able to perform the given job with relevant experiences so that they could help to generate more revenue for the company. I should say that most fresh graduates today lack certain skill sets that most companies. are looking for. Some of the skill sets are not taught in their previous education institution or only able to obtain through self study and experience in the real world!

It is a bit more complicated than the two responses provided above. There are two issues at play and they stand at opposing ends. First of all, there is the increased need to find young professionals who are highly skilled in computational sciences or technical areas. There are companies who are looking for highly skilled workers. However, there is also the need, recognized by the world economic forum, for new workers who have highly developed soft skills. Here, employers are looking for young people who have team skills, are creative, are critical thinkers, and have the writing and numeracy skills. These 21st century companies are less concerned about their high level technical skills than they are about their future ability to manage and work in a highly complex and interdisciplinary world. Many companies are looking for future leaders. Highly skilled trained individuals that complete less education are often not mature enough nor have the skill to work in teams, work creatively, and be critical thinkers. So, there are two sides to the coin. We need technically skilled folks and we need well rounded critical thinkers who show empathy and compassion and can work with lots of different people. I hope the US and other countries continue to develop both kinds of people.

You can always work while you study to balance your cashflow. Good education brings good job.