In June 1993, a workforce development symposium was held at LaGuardia Community College, in New York, involving 119 business leaders and training and employment executives from the borough of Queens. The purpose of the meeting was to determine the critical training needs of the area's business community. Symposium participants were divided into five focus groups related to the following industry sectors: manufacturing, telecommunications, retail, utilities, non-profit, and government. A questionnaire developed by symposium organizers and soliciting information on current training needs was distributed to each group. Analyses of the completed questionnaires revealed the following: (1) deficiencies in basic skills among the workforce was the most frequently mentioned issue by focus groups; (2) work readiness, or general "work ethic" and sense of responsibility, was perceived as an issue for job applicants, current employees, and future candidates; (3) the need for diversity was frequently addressed by the groups, including the need for English-as-a-Second-Language training and meeting the needs of female heads of household; and (4) a fourth theme addressed by participants was the need for advanced skills, including upgrades of technical skills, customer service training, cross-training, management training, and training related to laws and regulations. Recommendations for improving workforce development, a list of participants, and the focus group questionnaire are included. (BCY)