Just 'do it' | Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson backs skills-based hiring

Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson believes that skipping university could be the best path for young people eager to enter the business world.

Speaking to LinkedIn News, Branson argued that real-life experience is more valuable than a degree for many careers.

“My own personal belief is that for running a company, ‘just get out into the world and do it’ is perhaps better than building up a lot of debt going to a university,” said the 74-year-old entrepreneur.

Branson acknowledged, however, that degrees might be essential for “extreme” jobs in tech and mathematics.