British employers' perceptions of the key skills needed by young workers and all employees were examined through a national study that involved a large-scale survey of 193 employers and in-depth interviews with a subsample of 46 employers selected to be representative from the standpoints of firm size, sector, region, and employment of young people. The study focused on six key skills: written and oral communication, use of numbers, use of information technology, ability to work in a team, learning, and business awareness. More than half the employers surveyed who were aware of General National Vocational Qualifications knew about the core skills included in them; however, 41% were unable to name any of the specific skills included. Employers reported high levels of need for employees of all ages to possess all six key skills. Although the employers indicated fairly high levels of satisfaction with their employees' levels of key skills, they were slightly less satisfied with the skills of their young workers. The skills that were most widely needed (oral communication, working with others, and learning) were the ones most likely to show a "shortfall." (Seventeen tables/figures are included. Summary key skill frameworks are appended. The bibliography lists 18 references.) (MN)