Research offers educators information on the skills that will be needed by office employees as new technologies are introduced into the workplace. Surveys and studies sponsored by private organizations as well as private businesses indicate that employers still require secretaries to have a solid foundation in the more traditional secretarial skills. They are increasingly, however, looking for employees with good employability skills and some experience in automated office equipment. Some employers prefer employees with good communication and decision-making skills and offer word processing training after employment. Findings seem to indicate employees must be trained to master the new concepts of the office as well as to operate new equipment in the office. Training in word processing concepts and skills, either in the classroom or on the job, increases an employee's effectiveness on the job. (YLB)