A study examined information and communication technologies (ICT) job trends and the prospects for preservation and supply of high skilled professionals in the medium and longer term in candidate countries (CCs), for admission into the European Union, focusing on Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, and Poland. Rapidly changing technology and growth of ICT-related activities in all sectors led to shortages of highly-qualified ICT professionals. Recruitment difficulties indicated imbalances between existing skills and company demands. ICT skills were obtained through formal education and training or more informally through using ICTs and gaining experience with them. High standards in mathematics, science, and informatics in most CCs were promising for the future supply of highly skilled professionals. The promising medium and longer-term supply of ICT professionals was associated with increasing numbers of young people in higher education and vocational schools. The rising number of students in ICT higher education had not led to a corresponding increase in numbers of teaching staff. Aging of academic staff increased concerns. Prospects for preserving and building ICT capabilities and skills in CCs was complicated by mobility of highly skilled professionals. Issues for policy and research were ICT skills mentoring, qualitative assessment of skills and their relation to company demands; partnerships; encouraging higher achievements in education; and creation of high quality opportunities, outsourcing, and production integration to prevent brain drain. (Contains 84 references.) (YLB)