Skills tutorials for first year engineering students at the University of New South Wales, Australia, were introduced in order to develop an awareness of certain conceptual skills commonly exercised by practicing engineers. Particular skills include the manipulation of information in different forms, translation from one form to another, presentation of technical ideas, feasibility assessments, formulation of problems, and the use of models. The scheme also provides students opportunities to develop self-expression and to work cooperatively in a small group. The following program developments are described: formulation of aims of the exercises and the invention of problems, first trials and evaluation, and subsequent revision. A feature of the development strategy was the direct observation of the sessions and assessment of reactions and difficulties through interviews and administration of questionnaires. (SW)