A survey of 524 planning agencies and consultants in the Midwest and Southwest was undertaken in 1976 to identify skills required for planning and to assess current capabilities in those skill areas. The major purpose of the survey was to aid geographic educators as they prepare students for careers in the planning profession. One part of the survey identified the major planning functions of the 524 respondents. These functions emphasized community development, housing, transportation, capital improvements, zoning, land use, preparing federal and state applications, and general planning research. In another part of the survey, respondents were asked to rate 70 different skills for their importance to the operation of their organizations. Skills ranked essential by more than 40% of the respondents included the abilities to write clear and concise reports, work effectively with other professionals, present technical issues to public officials and to citizens' groups, develop land-use maps, and assist in environmental impact assessment. To develop skills in these areas, geography educators should provide training in mapping and graphics, secondary data recovery, communications, primary data generation, quantitative methods, and interpretation of legal processes as they apply to planning. (DB)