A system for conducting formal needs assessment for vocational education in California community colleges was developed and field tested. Utilizing seven questionnaires, the following groups, who were seen as possessing information that was essential to a formal needs assessment, were surveyed: residents of the community, employers, current students, former students, instructors, counselors, and administrators. Suggested procedures for conducting a general needs assessment for Occupational Education are presented. Observations and recommendations of the field test task force are: (1) the community college lacks identity both as a tax-supported tuition-free institution and as an institution providing occupational education training; (2) the community college must increase its public relations activities; (3) community colleges should seriously consider investing in a vocational guidance specialist who can bridge the gap between industry and the various training programs; (4) the time it takes to turn an interested potential student into a matriculated student results in loss of enrollment; (5) attention must be given to providing top-notch placement services to occupational education graduates; (6) occupational instructors must receive periodic retraining to keep abreast of changing skill requirements; (7) more emphasis must be place upon making entering students aware of the actual needs of employers; and (8) the community college should move toward providing employers with a graduate who has the proper level of skills. Appendixes provide copies of the questionnaires used, list of employers surveyed, and results of the needs assessment. (DB)