A two-phase study examined the skills required of competent end-users of computers in the workplace and assessed the computing awareness and technological environment of first-year students entering historically disadvantaged technikons in South Africa. First, a DACUM (Developing a Curriculum) panel of nine representatives of local business and industry was convened to obtain employer input regarding the end-user computing (EUC) skills required of competent computer users in the workplace. Next, follow-up interviews were conducted with 11 work supervisors from local businesses and industries. Feedback on the DACUM panel's findings was also sought from each member of the DACUM group, lecturers at the Border Technikon's EUC department, the department's client departments, and the work supervisors. The workers and work supervisors were in strong agreement regarding the computing skills needed in the workplace. Ability to create effective documents, typing ability, and a basic working knowledge of computer applications were deemed most important. The second phase of the study established that lack of a computer at home was the biggest disadvantage faced by individuals beginning EUC training at historically disadvantaged technikons. Applications of the DACUM process in improving disadvantaged students' success in EUC courses and other classroom- and institutional-level intervention strategies were discussed. (Contains 40 references.) (MN)