This report summarizes the findings of a national study to determine what skills and competencies are needed by beginning employees on sheep ranches and farms, lamb feedlots, and in the sheep shearing industry. The research procedure, which involved determining from the sheep industry the competencies needed by beginning employees in the thirteen sheep production occupations, is described. Findings are presented in tabular form: 1,510 competencies rated and ranked in the thirteen occupations, approximately 70% of them rated "essential" or "important." Conclusions and recommendations are included regarding use of the findings in developing secondary vocational programs. A brief paragraph job description precedes the list of competencies for each occupation: sheep rancher, sheep ranch foreman, sheep ranch hand, sheep herder, camp tender, lamber, the lamb feeder, lamb feedlot foreman, lamb feedlot laborer, contract sheep shearer, sheep shearer, fleece tier, and wool sacker. (HD)