This narrative account summarizes the 2-day research forum of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP). Presentations focus on the central theme of the forum: new qualifications versus skill shortages. They include Kees Meijer's outline of the research undertaken in a series of national studies on skill shortages within the European Community action program for the vocational training of young people and Juergen Schmehr's description of the regional approach and methods adopted by the "Skill Needs Monitoring Project." Papers and contributions from Member States illustrate the different ways in which individual countries approach the assessment of skill needs. Summaries are provided of Hermann Schmidt's discussion of Germany's response to identifying changing skill needs; Pol Debaty's introduction of the concept of "autoinformation"; Yves Lichtenberger's description of the move toward a stronger decentralization in France; and Juan Garcia Moreno's call for a greater regionalization of effort with reference to the Spanish situation. A description of the second day's program uses the Luxembourg experience as an example of how the legislature has accounted for the situation and needs of a minority (Jean Tagliaferri). Other highlights include a description of the evaluation and development of the Training and Enterprise Councils in the United Kingdom (Judith Marquand) and a review of the results of a pathfinding study conducted as part of the development of a European Directory of Research in the field of vocational training. (YLB)