In response to a deficiency in basic skills demonstrated by students admitted to Santa Fe Community College (SFCC), a Vocational Skills Assessment (VSA) program was developed to increase student awareness of personal and vocational strengths through hands-on assessment of their abilities. The VSA program has four integrated courses: (1) Skills Assessment and Career Choice, which focuses on matching-students' abilities with vocational-technical certificate programs or available jobs; (2) Applied Living Skills, which helps students relate social and personal needs with vocational and academic strengths; (3) Basic Skills, which gives students the opportunity to upgrade academic skills; and (4) Presentations by Employers and Community Leaders, which provides information on employment trends and possibilities. An integral component of the VSA program is work sampling offered by the college's Work Exploration Center, where students can gain hands-on experience by utilizing the tools or activities required on the job. The hands-on activities include the Adkins Employability Module of Columbia University and other "how to get a job" activities; the Santa Fe Career Development Center's self-paced activities in career decision making; and a performance-based approach to career choice. A diagram of the VSA program is appended. (HB)