if you're into hiring why don't you tell us exaclty what you and the rest of the industry hire based on and for what positions?
Because I've spoken to a lot of people at various companies in my area and while they all believe you can turn any good artists into a 3d artist, it is not a skill that they hire for.
If they are looking for concept art, or traditional hand drawn stuff yeah they go for the natural artist.
But for hiring a 3d modeler position they say that they would take someone who may not have the drawing skills but show that they understand how things work and can model them and demonstrate that ability rather well.

Many people can grasp the concepts of art but cannot practice them in your traditional pen and paper format. I think it is silly this day in age to say that someone who can't draw won't get a job at pixar or dreamworks because of the fact they can't draw.