The development of sectoral training systems in two economic sectors--the printing industry and the sector of health care in hospitals--was examined in a study that entailed parallel research projects in five European countries: Belgium, Latvia, The Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom. The study was based on the assumption that the development of sectoral training systems entails four processes: articulation of sectoral (training) agencies and bodies; negotiation of training agreements; creation of training policies and provisions; and implementation of training policies and programs at the firm level. Sectoral training systems were generally more clearly developed in the printing sector. Printing sector training systems were highly developed in Norway, Belgium, and the Netherlands. In the United Kingdom, the established social partner-led training system that was broken down by the liberal government in the 1980s has recently been reconstructed through the conclusion of joint training agreements and the establishment of a joint training council. In all five countries, sectoral-level training was less articulated in the hospital sector. The research model was deemed a workable device for description and analysis of developments in the two sectors studied. (Contains 15 references) (MN)