new 2nd prof skill set

When one changes secondary profession, does one start off with a blank skill set for the new 2nd prfoession?

No, you get a bunch of starter skills if you're talking about the Crystal Desert 2dary quests.

Yeah, you get about 4 or 5 pre-searing skills. If you look at this list here, you can find the quests that will give you skills for your new profession, so you don't have to spend skillpoints:
http://cleaned.beyondunreal.com/temp...wardQuests.htm