>I am looking for some input from the experts as to the skill sets that I should look for that would lend themselves to becoming proficient in VFP even if a candidate has only limited real exposure to VFP.

VFP knowledge is somewhat irrelevant. By this I mean that if they're smart and know how to program, they can be taught what they need to know (my mantra: all languages are the same, I just need to know the syntax). Oh, sure, they won't know all the quirks and tricks of VFP and SBT for a while, but if they have the intellectual horsepower, they can quickly pick it up as they need to.

OTOH, take a person that knows VFP inside and out. If they're not as I describe above, they'll struggle with SBT's framework far longer than the smart programmer. If it's a "learn as you go" situation, the VFP "expert" will have a harder time with the SBT layout.

Summary: don't ignore a strong VB or C++ candidate. And be sure to ask them why manhole covers are round. :-)