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In recent years there has been considerable interest in the significant role of education and training in enhancing economic progress, fuller employment and social integration. This paper provides an international comparison of adult participation in continuing education and training beyond initial education in Europe, the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK), Canada and New Zealand. The data is drawn from the International Adult Literacy Survey which collected information about participation in training during the year leading up to the survey. The paper focuses on the differences between countries in relation to participation in education and training, the duration of courses, and financial sponsorship. Cross-national similarities and differences in education and training by gender, age group, educational attainment, literacy levels, occupation, and the size and kind of organisation within which people are employed, are also examined. The results reveal major cross-national differences in the incidence and volume of continuing education and training among adults but there were some notable similarities across countries in relation to the distribution of education and training within sub-populations. Employed adults were more likely to participate in continuing education or training and their participation rate was higher for job-related training than participation for other reasons. Those adults with higher level educational qualifications were more likely to participate than those with lower levels. Younger adults were more likely to participate and for a longer duration than older age groups and those employed in larger organisations were also more likely to participate. Data on funding of training revealed that in all countries, employers were the most common financial sponsors of training, particularly job-related training.