Young people were interviewed to ascertain their perceptions of Australia in the next ten years and what skills that they expected that school leavers (ie. secondary school leavers) will need to have to cope with the future. The findings provided data for a national conferences, sponsored by the Commission for the Future and the Australian Teachers' Federation, in Melbourne in April, 1988. The conference explored the demands on education as seen by representatives of six user groups of education, including industry, parents and students. The methodology was basically determined by the nature of the project. The young people reached an 'agreed statement' for the project. Their attitude towards the future indicated uncertainty, anxiety and pessimism and that their lives will be increasingly controlled by impersonal technology. The young people believed that there are four main areas of skill development needed by school leavers to cope with the future. The areas are: intellectual/academic; vocational; social; and personal. Some details are provided for each of the skill areas. The young people believed that the development of these skills should be possible through the public education system. Consideration is given to the possibility of implementing student participation and school-work relationships - two of the areas seen as important for the skill development of young people.