There are painters who can remake a perfect copy of La Gioconda, (famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci), but they are not able to create a meaningful painting from scratch. They are not really artists but just painting technicians.
Do we need them? Or Do we need artists?
I think the Scratch principles, as described by Mitch, are based on the idea to allow learners to become artists and creators and innovators.
Of course, skills are important, but less then consciousness, and creativity.

As Bruno Munari said:

a person without creativity will always have difficulty in the inevitable changes of life

Code to Learn before Learn to Code

Thanks Mitch !