Needed skills and qualities of retailing employees were ranked by 11 faculty and 12 industry representatives. Industry leaders believed leadership and decision making were most important for future leaders. Faculty ranked interpersonal and cognitive skills higher, and they believed their rankings would match those of industry. (SK)

Apparel industry representatives (n=12) and apparel program faculty (n=17) used Q methodology to identify industry skill needs. Most industry representatives thought strong affective skills were most important for design professionals. Nearly half the educators thought that cognitive attributes were most important. (Contains 18 references.) (SK)