problems with using 'LIKE' in a SQL statement

[silencer01]

Hi All,

I having problems with using 'LIKE' in a SQL statement. I'm using a SQL2000 database with C#. The parameters are from a form in a ASP.NET app. I have tried a number of different ways of referencing the parameter but none seem to work. Here is the statement i'm using:

objCmd = new SqlCommand("SELECT * FROM tbl_employee "+
        "WHERE skills LIKE %@skills% " +
        "OR industry = @industry ", objConn);
        objCmd.Parameters.Add("@skills", txtSkills.Text); 
        objCmd.Parameters.Add("@industry", ddlIndustry.SelectedItem.Value); 

This is the error i'm getting

System.Data.SqlClient.SqlException: Line 1: Incorrect syntax near '@skills'.

If i hardcode the parameter it works fine. Eg. WHERE skills LIKE 'flash'. I have checked to see that the parameters are returning results (which they are).

Thanks,

Jake