As someone learning 3D animation for indie games, it seems to take at least a year to get good enough. And even after spending that much time drinking from the firehose of information that Youtube is, I suspect that someone with a 4-year degree in animation would have a significant leg up over someone learning by themselves.

I think there are a lot of people who are going to school for animation, but maybe supply and demand are mismatched? But at the same time, a lot of VFX, animation and game studios are doing layoffs, so there probably shouldn't be that much a shortage of talent? I suspect GP comment may be right that the studios that are not able to find animation talent may just not be willing to compete on salaries.

Anyone can pick up a pen and draw. But animation/cartoon/anime are both a product and art, and require time for those who draw to grow from amateur to master. Some will get there in no time, and some will take time to get there. There are no one size fit all equation.