This paper reports findings of a regional survey of North Virginia businesses. The Office of Institutional Research (OIR) at Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) conducted the research in an effort to assess the educational and training needs of area businesses. Employers ranked employee desirable characteristics and skills on a scale of 0 for "not applicable" to 5 for "very important." Respondents rated 17 skills. The top five skills desired by employees are: (1) a solid work ethic; (2) communication abilities; (3) the ability to learn on the job; (4) motivation or initiative; and (5) the ability to work with others. Work experience, leadership abilities, and GPA or academic credentials ranked at the bottom of the list. Employers were also asked to name other characteristics that were not included in the survey. Among the "other" skills listed as very important were qualities such as: excellent customer service, positive attitude, professionalism, good writing skills, being a team player, and the ability to speak a second language. The authors of the study find that, in general, employers place greater emphasis on general skills than on specialized skills. NVCC can use the findings of the study to determine whether or not their students are learning the skills they need, and whether or not these skills can be taught in the community college classroom. NVCC also must examine what opportunities there are for helping students develop these skills in non-classroom settings as well. (NB)