Changes in the extent, pattern, and outcomes of young Australians' participation in firm-based training from the 1980s to the 1990s were analyzed by comparing data from the Australian Youth Survey (AYS) and the Australian Longitudinal Survey (ALS). In 1994, 46% of those in the AYS sample participated in formal training (at age 16-24 years) and received an average of 55.55 hours of training over 12 months. The median amount of training per trainee was 17.2 hours/year. Most firm-based training (76%) was provided by workers' own employers. Young women had a higher incidence of training than young men (49% versus 44%). Young women's participation in external training more than doubled between 1985 and 1997 (15% versus 32%), and their incidence of in-house training also increased (32% versus 37% in the same years). The corresponding values for young men increased only marginally. The AYS panel had substantially higher levels of educational attainment than did the ALS panel in the mid-1980s. Workers with jobs that were full-time, required more education, or were in professional or managerial occupations received more training than their counterparts. Overall, training was associated with higher earnings by young workers. Table notes and two additional tables are appended. (Contains 16 tables and 74 references.) (MN)