The Regional Employment and Training Needs Assessment (RETNA) project was organized to determine both current and projected employment and training needs in specific industries and occupations in the Sacramento area. The project involves the development of a prototypical computerized database developed from survey research on employment needs and job skills requirements. The first surveys conducted as part of the RETNA project were sent in September and October 1983 to selected employers in the area as well as to firms planning to locate near Sacramento. These surveys solicited detailed information about the basic skills, education, and specific technical skills needed in two occupations in the computer industry and two in the electronics industry. The information in the RETNA database is intended to be used by area education and training organizations in the development and upgrading of vocational programs. This report provides information on: (1) the need for RETNA; (2) survey research methodology and design, including a discussion of survey development, selection of employers to be surveyed, and response rates; (3) the components of the RETNA database; (4) initial results of a general employer survey and the four occupation-specific surveys; and (5) next steps in RETNA development. Appendices include the surveys, a technical summary of the RETNA project's interactive computer prototype and its operating environment, and a list of RETNA advisory committee members. (HB)