Following a review of needs assessment definitions, it is concluded that needs may be practically defined as the difference between what is and what ought to be. In order to analyze this difference, particularly in regard to job market openings in comparison to occupational curricular offerings and enrollment, a computerized model was established for a consortium of Florida community colleges utilizing currently collected information from the best of available sources. The nucleus of the model is derived from and focused on a single source--that of Job Bank data maintained by the Florida Employment Security Agency. The model described in this report is capable of answering such questions as: What are area job needs and their associated training requirements? Are there major gaps and shortages among jobs in our communities? Are our educational programs meeting the needs for special skills? What are the educational and economic trends in the community? What will be the economic balance given the present trends? Answers to such questions can aid in policy-making intended to reduce imbalances and to responsibly address determined and projected future needs. Curriculum planning can then be based on the future needs of the community. Overall, the model is intended to be useful in providing information to be applied in reducing the deleterious imbalances between what is and what ought to be. (JDS)